inmate

[in-meyt]

noun

1. a person who is confined in a prison, hospital, etc.

2. Archaic.,  a person who dwells with others in the same house.

inmate

/ ˈɪnˌmeɪt /

noun

1. a person who is confined to an institution such as a prison or hospital See also resident

2. obsolete,  a person who lives with others in a house

Word History and Origins

Origin of inmate¹

First recorded in 1580–90; in- ¹ + mate ¹

Example Sentences

HASAKAH, Syria—In a wing of the notorious Al Sina prison in northeastern Syria, where some of the world’s most dangerous inmates are held, guards wearing balaclavas stood along a corridor lined with cells.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

State authorities say inmates may use the strong-smelling condiment to disguise contraband substances or brew alcohol behind bars.

Read more on BBC

Days before Sunday’s referendum, officials said more than 30 inmates were killed—many hanged—by rivals in a prison in the city of Machala.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He posted bail the same day and his next court date is scheduled Dec. 26, according to the Sheriff Department’s inmate locator.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Arthur Calloway, co-vice-chair of the Civilian Oversight Commission, asked at the October meeting whether the sheriff’s department could be trusted to investigate inmate claims against its own employees.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• convict 
• prisoner