prisoner

[ priz-uh-ner, priz-ner ]

noun

1. a person who is confined in prison or kept in custody, especially as the result of legal process.
2. prisoner of war.
3. a person or thing that is deprived of liberty or kept in restraint.

prisoner

/ ˈprɪzənə /

noun

1. a person deprived of liberty and kept in prison or some other form of custody as a punishment for a crime, while awaiting trial, or for some other reason
2. a person confined by any of various restraints

   we are all prisoners of time

3. take no prisoners informal.
   to be uncompromising and resolute in one's actions
4. take someone prisoner
   to capture and hold someone as a prisoner, esp as a prisoner of war

Word History and Origins

Origin of prisoner¹

1300–50; Middle English < Anglo-French. See prison, -er ²

Example Sentences

The government is now is hoping to pass emergency legislation that would allow between 260 and 390 prisoners to be freed early in February.

From BBC

Whatever the voters’ reasons, forcing incarcerated individuals to do work against their will is immoral and does no one any good — neither prisoners nor those in the outside world to which most will return.

From Los Angeles Times

Members of the Palestinian militant group Black September had taken 11 Israeli athletes hostage, demanding the release of hundreds of prisoners held in their country’s jails.

From Los Angeles Times

The change would also apply to new prisoners sentenced from the point the bill is introduced.

From BBC

Mr Cotler has represented Iranian political prisoners and has strong ties to Israel.

From BBC

Related Words

• captive
• convict
• detainee
• hostage