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inmate

American  
[in-meyt] / ˈɪnˌmeɪt /

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 British  
/ 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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of inmate

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

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Sheriff’s Department officials said they are continuing to make changes, hoping to reduce the number of in-custody deaths and care for an inmate population that is increasingly struggling with medical and mental health issues.

From Los Angeles Times

Ministers have argued that having a "blanket rule" for inmates could breach human rights law.

From BBC

There were 47 executions in the United States last year, the most since 2009, when 52 inmates were put to death.

From Barron's

Tarrant is being held in a specialist unit for prisoners of extreme risk at Auckland Prison, seldom interacting with inmates or other people.

From Barron's

Alouette’s attempts to reclaim her work result in her consignment to Salpetrière, a much-dreaded place for the mentally afflicted, where the cruel guards may or may not be saner than the inmates.

From Los Angeles Times