Meaning & Definition of word "Prison"
Prison
/ˈprɪzən/
noun:
- 1. A building where people are legally held as a punishment for crimes they have committed or while awaiting trial.
- Example: After the trial, he was sentenced to five years in prison.
- 2. A place or situation affording no escape; a state of confinement.
- Example: He felt as if his job was a prison, trapping him in a monotonous routine.
- 3. The condition of being imprisoned.
- Example: Her imprisonment was a stark reminder of the dangers of political dissent.
Etymology
●Middle English 'prison', from Old French 'prison', from Latin 'prensio' meaning 'to seize'.
Common Phrases and Expressions
privilege of prison:
A limited set of rights granted to inmates.
prison break:
An escape from a prison.
prison sentence:
A punishment assigned by a court of law.
Related Words
inmate:
A person confined to an institution such as a prison.
warden:
The person in charge of a prison.
parole:
The conditional release of a prisoner before the full sentence is served.
Slang Meanings of prison
Meaning: The big house
● Example Sentence: He was sent to the big house for robbery.
Meaning: The clink
● Example Sentence: I ended up in the clink for a few nights.
Meaning: Lockup
● Example Sentence: After the fight, he spent the night in lockup.