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View synonyms for

prison

[ priz-uhn ]

noun

  1. a building for the confinement of persons held while awaiting trial, persons sentenced after conviction, etc.
  2. any place of confinement or involuntary restraint.


prison

/ ˈɪə /

noun

  1. a public building used to house convicted criminals and accused persons remanded in custody and awaiting trial See also jail penitentiary reformatory
  2. any place of confinement or seeming confinement
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • o· adjective
  • Dz·o adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of prison1

before 1150; Middle English prison, earlier prisun < Old French, variant of preson imprisonment, a prison < Latin pre ( ŧ ) Բō- (stem of preŧnsiō ) a seizure, arrest, equivalent to preŧns ( us ) (past participle of prehendere to seize) + -ō- -ion; doublet of prehension
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Word History and Origins

Origin of prison1

C12: from Old French prisun, from Latin ŧԲō a capturing, from prehendere to lay hold of
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

They have been charged with fraud in connection with major disaster or emergency benefits and they each face a maximum of 30 years in federal prison.

From

The couple who carried her to the UK, Ossai and Olasanoye, pleaded guilty to immigration offences and were sentenced to 18 months in prison followed by deportation.

From

Mr Mangione arrived at the Lower Manhattan court on Friday wearing a prison outfit and with his hands in cuffs.

From

He was talking about the hundreds of Venezuelan men expelled from the country without due process and sent to a prison in El Salvador, where, according to the administration, they should remain until they die.

From

"He will be spending in time in prison with one eye over his shoulder."

From

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prismoidprison camp