incarceration

[in-kahr-suh-rey-shuhn]

noun

1. the act of incarcerating, or putting in prison or another enclosure.

   The rate of incarceration has increased dramatically.

Word History and Origins

Origin of incarceration¹

First recorded in 1530–40; from French incarcération, from Latin incarcerātiōn-, stem of incarcerātiō, equivalent to incarcerāt(us), past participle of incarcerāre “to imprison” + -iō -ion ( def. ); incarcerate ( def. )

Example Sentences

A probation office, which oversees offenders during and after incarceration, separately recommended five to seven years in prison, according to Combs' court filings.

From BBC

But the United States’ punitive approach to incarceration clashes with the promise education holds for lower recidivism.

From Los Angeles Times

Most significantly, Newsom is championing a new vision of incarceration and rehabilitation modeled after successful efforts in Norway and other places that centers on the simple truth that arresting people does not end crime.

From Los Angeles Times

A decision on where to place Liebich will then be made at the start of incarceration.

From BBC

In truth, it was President Bill Clinton and the New Democrats who accelerated the country’s system of mass incarceration.

From Salon

Related Words

• captivity 
• confinement