1
: a state of confinement or captivity
2
: a place of confinement especially for lawbreakers
specifically
: an institution (such as one under state jurisdiction) for confinement of persons convicted of serious crimes compare jail
Synonyms
Noun
Examples of prison in a Sentence
Noun
The state plans to build two more prisons.
He was in prison at the time.
If caught, they're all going to prison.
She was sent to prison for robbery.
He was released from prison.
He's scheduled to get out of prison next month.
Her marriage became a prison to her.
Recent Examples on the Web
Gene Maddaus, Variety, 9 July 2024
Blanchard served eight years in prison for her role in the fatal stabbing of her mother Dee Dee Blanchard, who allegedly suffered from Munchausen syndrome by proxy and made Blanchard seem to have various health issues.
—Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY, 9 July 2024
Tina Marie Alexander, 46, will serve between 6 ½ years and 10 years in prison and was ordered to pay a fine of $100,000.
—Kate Robins, Charlotte Observer, 9 July 2024
Gutierrez, 27, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the shooting and sentenced in April to 18 months in prison, the maximum possible, in the shooting.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 9 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for prison 
Noun
Jury selection is underway in the Santa Fe, N.M., trial of Alec Baldwin, who faces up to 18 months in prison if convicted in the accidental death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 9 July 2024
Blanchard served eight years in prison for her role in the fatal stabbing of her mother Dee Dee Blanchard, who allegedly suffered from Munchausen syndrome by proxy and made Blanchard seem to have various health issues.
—Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY, 9 July 2024
Tina Marie Alexander, 46, will serve between 6 ½ years and 10 years in prison and was ordered to pay a fine of $100,000.
—Kate Robins, Charlotte Observer, 9 July 2024
Gutierrez, 27, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the shooting and sentenced in April to 18 months in prison, the maximum possible, in the shooting.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 9 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for prison
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'prison.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near prison
Cite this Entry
“Prison.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prison. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
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