Imprisonment

/ɪmˈprɪzənmənt/

Meaning & Definition

noun

The state of being confined in prison; the act of imprisoning someone.

His wrongful imprisonment caused a public outcry for justice.

The legal condition of being confined in a prison as punishment for a crime.

She received a sentence of five years of imprisonment for her involvement in the theft.

The act of restricting someone's freedom against their will.

The organization worked to expose cases of unlawful imprisonment around the world.

Derived from Middle French 'emprisonner', which means to imprison.

life imprisonment

A sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

imprisonment for debt

Imprisonment for failing to pay debts, now generally abolished.

prison

A building where people are legally held as punishment for a crime.

convict

A person found guilty of a crime and sentenced to prison.

jail

A place for the confinement of people accused or convicted of a crime.

The slammer

He spent some time in the slammer for his offenses.

The big house

After the trial, he was sent to the big house for a long time.