incarceration

American  

[in-kahr-suh-rey-shuhn] / ɪnˌkɑr səˈreɪ ʃən /

noun

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

   The rate of incarceration has increased dramatically.

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Etymology

Origin of incarceration

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

During her campaign, she pledged to reduce crime and fix the prison-overcrowding problem in Arkansas, which has the nation’s third-highest incarceration rate per capita behind Louisiana and Mississippi, according to federal data.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

As the foundation’s president, Elizabeth Alexander, puts it: “We support artists, scholars, and thinkers,” both inside and outside prison, “who are countering the inhumanity of incarceration and the broader criminal legal system.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 4, 2026

His optimism and heart are inspiring — a kid of Black and Korean heritage who shouldered losing both parents to incarceration and still emerged with a buoyant persona.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 26, 2026

Scotland - which along with other parts of Britain has one of the highest incarceration rates in Europe - has announced several emergency measures in recent years in a bid to cut its prison population.

From BBC • Feb. 3, 2026

Fischer thought of himself as a warrior in all things, not just chess—and living in Iceland, free of incarceration, he made no exceptions.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady

Related Words

• captivity
• confinement