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

Under Justice Department standards and requirements, people seeking pardons generally must wait five years after their release from incarceration, demonstrate good conduct and remorse, and file petitions through the Office of the Pardon Attorney.

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Sarkozy’s incarceration last month sent shock waves across France, and fueled a debate over the limits of judicial authority.

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In 2021, she was outraged by his incarceration and posted images from the looting.

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He joins hundreds of Palestinian children in Israeli detention, according to rights groups, almost half of them held without charge or trial in an incarceration system that critics say is designed to work against them.

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Macron invited Sarkozy to the Élysée Palace before his incarceration, only to find himself on the defensive days later as he fielded questions over why he hosted the former president.

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Related Words

• captivity 
• confinement