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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

solitary confinement

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has reportedly been placed in solitary confinement following allegations in an NBC News report of his lavish federal prison lifestyle.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 8, 2026

Mr. Lai remains in solitary confinement and ill health, with only 45 minutes a day for exercise outside his cell.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 20, 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

Rush has been held in solitary confinement, only allowed out for two hours a day.

From BBC ● Jun. 5, 2026

Their hands are cuffed and they wear color-coded jailhouse jumpsuits: yellow for maximum security, blue for minimum, and red for administrative segregation, which is the official term for solitary confinement.

From "The 57 Bus" by Dashka Slater

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