Imprison

/ɪmˈprɪzən/

Meaning & Definition

verb

To confine someone in prison.

After the trial, the judge decided to imprison the convicted felon for five years.

To restrict someone's freedom or to trap them in a difficult situation.

The harsh conditions of the asylum seemed to imprison her mind, making escape feel impossible.

To put someone in a place where they cannot leave.

The captors chose to imprison their hostage in a hidden location far from the city.

To keep or hold something within limits.

The artist felt that societal norms could imprison her creativity.

Middle English, from Old French emprisoner, from en- + prison.

imprisoned by circumstances:

Limited or constrained by external factors.

prison of one's mind:

Feeling mental confinement or limitations.

imprison within walls:

To be physically confined to a location.

Locked up

He got locked up for a few years.

Behind bars

After the conviction, he ended up behind bars.