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.