Incarceration: meaning, definitions and examples

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incarceration

 

[ ɪnˌkɑːsəˈreɪʃn ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

criminal justice system

The act of imprisoning someone or the state of being imprisoned, typically as a punishment for a crime.

Synonyms

confinement, detention, imprisonment.

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Word Description / Examples
incarceration

This term is commonly used in legal and formal contexts to refer to the act of putting someone in prison. It emphasizes the legal aspect of being held in a facility as a result of committing a crime.

  • The judge sentenced him to five years of incarceration for the robbery.
  • The report discussed the societal impacts of mass incarceration.
imprisonment

Imprisonment is similar to incarceration but is used more broadly and can be used in various contexts, including formal, legal, and conversational. It emphasizes the state of being imprisoned as a punishment.

  • The crime led to his long-term imprisonment.
  • Her unjust imprisonment became a major human rights issue.
detention

Detention is frequently used in the context of holding someone temporarily, often while awaiting trial or further legal action. It is also used in schools to refer to a form of punishment where students are required to stay after hours.

  • He was placed in detention until his trial date.
  • The student received detention for disrupting the class.
confinement

Confinement refers to the state of being restricted within certain limits, and it is often used in both legal and non-legal contexts. It can refer to being kept in any restricted area, not necessarily a prison, and may have neutral or negative implications depending on the situation.

  • The patient was kept in confinement to prevent the spread of the disease.
  • She felt the confinement of her small apartment was stifling.

Examples of usage

  • He spent five years in incarceration for the robbery.
  • Incarceration rates have been increasing in recent years.
Context #2 | Noun

social issues

The state of being confined or restricted in a space or situation.

Synonyms

confinement, constraint, restriction.

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Word Description / Examples
incarceration

Used primarily in legal or formal contexts to indicate someone being put in prison or jail.

  • The judge sentenced him to five years of incarceration
confinement

Refers to being kept in a restricted space and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It doesn't necessarily imply legal implications.

  • Due to her illness, she experienced months of confinement at home
restriction

Denotes a limitation or control placed on someone or something. It is commonly used in both everyday and official language.

  • There are travel restrictions due to the pandemic
constraint

Typically describes limitations or restrictions that can be either physical or metaphorical. It has a broader application beyond physical space.

  • Financial constraints prevented the project from moving forward

Examples of usage

  • His mental health struggles led to a sense of self-incarceration.
  • Poverty can sometimes feel like a form of social incarceration.

Translations

Translations of the word "incarceration" in other languages:

🇵🇹 encarceramento

🇮🇳 कैद (kaid)

🇩🇪 Inhaftierung

🇮🇩 pemenjaraan

🇺🇦 ув'язнення

🇵🇱 uwięzienie

🇯🇵 投獄 (とうごく, tougoku)

🇫🇷 incarcération

🇪🇸 encarcelamiento

🇹🇷 hapis

🇰🇷 투옥 (tuok)

🇸🇦 السجن (alsijn)

🇨🇿 uvěznění

🇸🇰 uväznenie

🇨🇳 监禁 (jiānjìn)

🇸🇮 zaprtje

🇮🇸 fangelsi

🇰🇿 қамау

🇬🇪 დაპატიმრება (dapatimreba)

🇦🇿 həbs

🇲🇽 encarcelamiento

Etymology

The word 'incarceration' originated from the Latin word 'incarcerare', which means 'to imprison'. The concept of incarceration has been a part of human societies for centuries, evolving from dungeons and jails to modern prisons. Throughout history, the use of incarceration as a form of punishment has been a subject of debate, with discussions on rehabilitation, retribution, and the impact of incarceration on individuals and society.

See also: incarcerate, incarcerated.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #14,351, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.