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

• incarcerator noun
• incarceration noun
• incarcerative adjective
• 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

He was told by the officer running the prison that he would be incarcerated indefinitely.

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Homeboy was founded 37 years ago to help thousands of formerly incarcerated people and gang-involved youths acquire new skills and avoid returning to jail or prison.

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The Parole Board heard Dunlop had committed other violent offences and he admitted to the panel he could have gone on to kill other people had he not been incarcerated.

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The man who wanted to be identified as G.G., is a former prisoner who was incarcerated for more than a decade on a serious crime that happened when he was a “reckless kid.”

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County prosecutors had charged that Landa-Rodriguez, while incarcerated in a federal penitentiary for illegally reentering the country, sanctioned the killing of a rival’s underling.

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Related Words

• confine 
• detain 
• imprison 
• jail 
• lock up