incarceration

[ in-kahr-suh-rey-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of incarcerating, or putting in prison or another enclosure:

   The rate of incarceration has increased dramatically.

Word History and Origins

Origin of incarceration¹

First recorded in 1530–40; from French incarcération, from Latin incarcerātiōn-, stem of incarcerātiō, equivalent to incarcerāt(us), past participle of incarcerāre “to imprison” + -iō -ion ( def ); incarcerate ( def )

Example Sentences

She focused on alternatives to incarceration and promised to prosecute police misconduct.

From Los Angeles Times

While Democratic presidents have expanded the incarceration and deportation complex in the last two decades, Trump's first-term record and second-term proposals represent a massive and unprecedented escalation.

From Salon

He's represented many young people and argues more money needs to go into schooling than the prison system, to prevent incarceration in the first place.

From BBC

“I don’t think a judge would give a person under those sentences an incarceration sentence.”

From BBC

If Kamala Harris wins, the former president faces sentencing in New York, more trials and likely incarceration.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• captivity
• confinement