confined

adjective

con·​fined kən-ˈfīnd 

1

: kept within confines: such as

a

: limited to a particular location

confined to bed

b

: held captive

confined prisoners

2

: very small

confined spaces

a confined compartment

3

dated : undergoing childbirth

In Scotland, the Countess of Athole, who was lying-in at Edinburgh Castle near the similarly confined Mary, Queen of Scots, is reported to have cast her own birth pangs onto a waiting-woman in the queen's chamber.

—Michael Olmert

Synonyms

• apprehended
• arrested
• captive
• captured
• caught
• imprisoned
• incarcerated
• interned
• jailed

Examples of confined in a Sentence

She gets uncomfortable in confined spaces.

confined citizens have basic rights under that nation's constitution

Recent Examples on the Web

The most conspicuous example is the open-air winter sculpture garden at the center of the residence, an intimate, confined courtyard that allows art and nature to coalesce. —Troy J. McMullen, Architectural Digest, 9 Dec. 2024

These pollutants then build up in a confined area, resulting in degraded air quality, which may affect people with and other health concerns. —Jess Thomson, Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2024

But even with this extensive network, there still is a need for improvements to address data gaps and enhance the representation of different aquifers, both in confined and unconfined conditions. —Claire Marks, Austin American-Statesman, 27 Aug. 2024

In such confined, awkward sites, devised to hold a five-story house, what was important to him? —David Netto, Curbed, 17 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

from past participle of confine entry 2

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

confined

adjective

con·​fined kən-ˈfīnd 

: undergoing childbirth