Synonyms

solitary confinement

American

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

noun

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

solitary confinement British

noun

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of solitary confinement

First recorded in 1775–85

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Marwan Barghouti is understood to have been kept in solitary confinement for the past two-and-a-half years.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

Yoon has been held in solitary confinement while fighting multiple criminal trials.

From Barron's • Feb. 19, 2026

He is in solitary confinement in a smaller than normal cell.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 16, 2026

Lai's Catholic faith had deepened in solitary confinement - an arrangement he had requested, according to authorities.

From BBC • Dec. 20, 2025

But his young pi pel remained behind, in solitary confinement.

From "Night" by Elie Wiesel

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023