solitary confinement

American  

[sol-i-ter-ee kuhn-fahyn-muhnt] / ˈsɒl ɪˌtɛr i kənˈfaɪn mənt /

noun

1. the confinement of a prisoner in a cell or other place in which they are completely isolated from others.

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solitary confinement British  

noun

1. isolation imposed on a prisoner, as by confinement in a special cell

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Etymology

Origin of solitary confinement

First recorded in 1775–85

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

solitary confinement

He noted that she'd already spent 15 months in solitary confinement at the time of her sentencing.

From BBC ● Aug. 17, 2026

But crucially, the text does not specify what will become of Ocalan, 77, who has spent the past 27 years being held in solitary confinement on Imrali prison island near Istanbul.

From Barron's ● Aug. 10, 2026

Prison staff reportedly separated the two men and Combs was placed in solitary confinement.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 30, 2026

Now that he was out of solitary confinement, Havens’ interest in gang politics had disappeared.

From Slate ● May 2, 2026

But what I had not realized in solitary confinement was that to have companions meant to have their griefs as well.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom