prison

[priz-uhn]

noun

1. a building for the confinement of persons held while awaiting trial, persons sentenced after conviction, etc.

2. state prison.

3. any place of confinement or involuntary restraint.

4. imprisonment.

prison

/ ˈprɪzən /

noun

1. a public building used to house convicted criminals and accused persons remanded in custody and awaiting trial See also jail penitentiary reformatory

2. any place of confinement or seeming confinement

Other Word Forms

• prisonlike adjective
• postprison adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of prison¹

before 1150; Middle English prison, earlier prisun < Old French, variant of preson imprisonment, a prison < Latin pre ( hē ) nsiōn- (stem of prehēnsiō ) a seizure, arrest, equivalent to prehēns ( us ) (past participle of prehendere to seize) + -iōn- -ion; doublet of prehension

Word History and Origins

Origin of prison¹

C12: from Old French prisun, from Latin prēnsiō a capturing, from prehendere to lay hold of

Example Sentences

Those caught breaking the law in England face a minimum £200 fine, with a prison sentence of up to two years for repeat offences.

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Alida is serving a prison sentence for serious fraud offences, and believes it is the right place for her to be in.

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Protesting his innocence, he was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison.

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Murillo is awaiting sentencing but has agreed to spend two years in prison, state Department of Insurance officials said.

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A lot changed while he was in prison, they said.

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Related Words

• confinement 
• jail 
• lockup 
• penitentiary