Prison
Pronunciation
- IPA: /ˈpɹɪzən/
- Rhymes: -ɪzən
Origin
From Old French prison, from Latin prehensiÅnem, accusative singular of prehensiÅ, from the verb prehendÅ.
Full definition of prison
Noun
prison
(countable and uncountable; plural prisons)- A place of long-term confinement for those convicted of serious crimes, or otherwise considered undesirable by the government.The cold stone walls of the prison had stood for over a century.
- (uncountable) Confinement in prison.Prison was a harrowing experience for him.
- (colloquial) Any restrictive environment, such as a harsh academy or home.The academy was a prison for many of its students because of its strict teachers.
Synonyms
- (place) bridewell; see also .
- (confinement) imprisonment
Derived terms
Verb
- (transitive) To imprison.