Added 8 October 2026
prison
/ˈpɹɪzn̩/ noun
In Latin: carcer Wiktionary
noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about prison at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
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A place or institution where people are held against their will, in the US especially for long-term confinement, as of 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.
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Confinement in prison (sense 1).
Prison was a harrowing experience for him.
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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.
verb
- To imprison.
Origin
From Middle English prisoun, prison, from Old English prisūn, a borrowing from Old French prison, from Latin prehensiōnem, accusative singular of prehensiō, from the verb prehendō. Doublet of prehension.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)