incarcerate

[in-kahr-suh-reyt, in-kahr-ser-it, -suh-reyt]

verb (used with object)

incarcerated, incarcerating 

1. to imprison; confine.

   Synonyms: intern, immure, jail

2. to enclose; constrict closely.

adjective

1. imprisoned.

incarcerate

/ ɪnˈkɑːsəˌreɪt /

verb

1. (tr) to confine or imprison

Other Word Forms

• incarceration noun
• incarcerative adjective
• incarcerator noun
• unincarcerated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of incarcerate¹

First recorded in 1520–30; from Medieval Latin incarcerātus, past participle of incarcerāre “to imprison,” equivalent to in- “in” + carcer “prison” + -ātus past participle suffix; in- ², -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of incarcerate¹

C16: from Medieval Latin incarcerāre, from Latin _in- ² + carcer prison

Example Sentences

Women would appear a prime focus for this, with almost three-quarters of those incarcerated in 2020 being held for non-violent offences, many of whom are vulnerable.

Read more on BBC

County incarcerates about 13,000 people — including roughly 1,500 women — throughout its network of jails watched over by sheriff’s deputies.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The onetime deputy prime minister of Canada—convicted and incarcerated as the leader of the conspiracy Armand pursued in the pages of the preceding novel—still insists he was framed.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The unit housed incarcerated people who were considered unsafe to live with the general population because of the nature of their offenses, as well as some who had diagnoses for severe mental illnesses.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In the past, he said, alleged drug boats would be stopped and suspects incarcerated.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• confine 
• detain 
• imprison 
• jail 
• lock up