1
: a state of confinement or captivity
2
: a place of confinement especially for lawbreakers
specifically
: an institution (such as one under state jurisdiction) for confinement of persons convicted of serious crimes compare jail
Synonyms
Noun
Examples of prison in a Sentence
Noun
The state plans to build two more prisons.
He was in prison at the time.
If caught, they're all going to prison.
She was sent to prison for robbery.
He was released from prison.
He's scheduled to get out of prison next month.
Her marriage became a prison to her.
Recent Examples on the Web
Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 27 June 2024
Steven van de Velde, who is now 29, was sentenced to four years in prison in 2014 for raping the girl who was aged 12, according to British media.
—Amy Woodyatt, CNN, 27 June 2024
Melendez faces up to 60 years in prison if he's convicted on all three counts.
—Chris Ramirez, Journal Sentinel, 27 June 2024
According to the government, Hernandez ran this scheme for three years out of his Detroit home with his sister, who also previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five years in prison earlier this year.
—Tresa Baldas, Detroit Free Press, 27 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for prison 
Noun
If convicted, the 23-year-old could face life in prison without the possibility of parole.
—Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 27 June 2024
Steven van de Velde, who is now 29, was sentenced to four years in prison in 2014 for raping the girl who was aged 12, according to British media.
—Amy Woodyatt, CNN, 27 June 2024
Melendez faces up to 60 years in prison if he's convicted on all three counts.
—Chris Ramirez, Journal Sentinel, 27 June 2024
According to the government, Hernandez ran this scheme for three years out of his Detroit home with his sister, who also previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five years in prison earlier this year.
—Tresa Baldas, Detroit Free Press, 27 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for prison
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'prison.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near prison
Cite this Entry
“Prison.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prison. Accessed 30 Jun. 2024.
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