imprison

verb

im·​pris·​on im-ˈpri-zᵊn How to pronounce imprison (audio)
imprisoned; imprisoning; imprisons

transitive verb

: to put in or as if in prison : confine
imprisonment noun

Examples of imprison in a Sentence

He was imprisoned for murder. He has threatened to imprison his political opponents.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The company’s founder, Max Adler, served as an Air Force bomber in World War II and after being shot down over Hungary was imprisoned by the Nazis. Mark Dent, thehustle.co, 6 Dec. 2024 Many are imprisoned in federal, state or local facilities and may enter deportation proceedings after serving their sentences. Russell Contreras, Axios, 5 Dec. 2024 China has disclosed that the United States has repatriated four Chinese nationals to Beijing as part of a diplomatic agreement which has also led to the freeing of three Americans who were previously imprisoned in China for years. Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2024 Three American citizens imprisoned for years by China have been released and are returning to the United States, the White House said Wednesday, announcing a rare diplomatic agreement with Beijing in the final months of the Biden administration. Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 28 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for imprison 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French emprisoner, from en- + prison prison

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of imprison was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near imprison

Cite this Entry

“Imprison.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/imprison. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

imprison

verb
im·​pris·​on im-ˈpriz-ᵊn How to pronounce imprison (audio)
imprisoned; imprisoning
-ˈpriz-(ə-)niŋ
: to put in or as if in prison
imprisonment noun

Legal Definition

imprison

transitive verb
im·​pris·​on
: to confine in prison especially as punishment for a crime compare false imprisonment
imprisonment noun

More from Merriam-Webster on imprison

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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