prison Definition
a building where people are kept as a punishment for a crime they have committed or while awaiting trial.
Using prison: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "prison" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
He was sentenced to ten years in prison.
Example
The prison population has increased by 20% in the last decade.
Example
She works as a prison guard.
Example
The prison system needs reform.
prison Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for prison
- jail
- penitentiary
- lockup
- correctional facility
- detention center
Idioms Using prison
Example
He did time in prison for his involvement in the robbery.
Example
The judge threatened to throw him in prison if he didn't comply with the court order.
Example
He deserves to rot in prison for what he did to those innocent people.
Phrases with prison
a sentence of imprisonment for the rest of a person's life
Example
The judge sentenced him to life imprisonment for his crimes.
a prison designed to hold the most dangerous criminals and with the highest level of security measures
Example
He was transferred to a maximum security prison after attempting to escape from his previous facility.
Example
The prison break was carefully planned and executed over several months.
Origins of prison
from Old French 'prisoun', from Latin 'prehesionem', meaning 'a capture'
Summary: prison in Brief
The term 'prison' [ˈprɪz(ə)n] refers to a building where people are held as a punishment for a crime they have committed or while awaiting trial. It is often used in phrases like 'life imprisonment,' 'maximum security prison,' and 'prison break.' 'Prison' is also used in idioms like 'do time in prison,' 'throw someone in prison,' and 'rot in prison.'