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Imprisonment Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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imprisonment

[ษชmหˆprษชz.ษ™n.mษ™nt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

legal

The state of being imprisoned; captivity.

Synonyms

confinement, detention, incarceration.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
imprisonment

This word is used when someone is put in prison as a punishment for a crime. It often has a formal context, especially in legal or judicial settings.

  • He faced imprisonment for his role in the robbery
  • The judge sentenced her to five years of imprisonment
incarceration

Incarceration is a more formal and technical term similar to imprisonment. It's often used in official and academic discussions about the justice system.

  • The rate of incarceration has increased over the past decade
  • She wrote a book about her experiences with incarceration
detention

Detention typically refers to being held temporarily, often before or without a formal trial. It is used in contexts like schools or law enforcement.

  • The students were given detention for breaking the rules
  • The suspect was held in detention for questioning
confinement

Confinement is broader and can refer to being kept in a certain area or situation, not just prison. It can be used in a legal or medical context.

  • After his surgery, he was in confinement for several weeks
  • Soldiers were held in confinement until the end of the war

Examples of usage

  • He was sentenced to five years of imprisonment for his crimes.
  • The imprisonment of innocent people is a grave injustice.
Context #2 | Noun

social

The act of confining someone in a space against their will.

Synonyms

captivity, detention, incarceration.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
imprisonment

Use this term when referring to the state of being kept in prison as a punishment for committing a crime.

  • After the trial, he faced ten years of imprisonment
captivity

This word is more often used to describe being kept somewhere and not being able to leave, usually in the context of animals or people held by force.

  • The wild animals were kept in captivity for research purposes
incarceration

This term is often used interchangeably with imprisonment but can sometimes refer to being confined or restricted within a particular place or area beyond prison.

  • The criminal was sentenced to five years of incarceration
  • The government critics faced incarceration for their opposition
detention

Use detention when referring to being kept in a place, especially as a punishment or to prevent freedom of movement, often used with students or prisoners awaiting trial.

  • The student was given detention for breaking school rules
  • The suspect was held in detention until the court date

Examples of usage

  • Her emotional imprisonment prevented her from living a fulfilling life.
  • Society must work towards ending the cycle of poverty and imprisonment.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'imprisonment'

The word 'imprisonment' originated from the Old French word 'emprisonnement', which came from the Latin 'imprisonmentum'. It has been used in English since the 14th century to refer to the state of being imprisoned or confined against one's will. The concept of imprisonment has evolved throughout history, reflecting changes in legal systems and social norms.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,384, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.