Prison: meaning, definitions and examples

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prison

[ ˈprɪzən ]

Noun

Oxford 3000

^{Context #1 | Noun}

behind bars

A prison is a building where people are legally held as a punishment for a crime they have committed. Prisons are often used to rehabilitate offenders and protect society from dangerous individuals. Inmates in prison are subject to a strict routine and are restricted in their freedom.

Synonyms

correctional facility, jail, penitentiary.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
prison	Typically refers to a place where people are held as a punishment for serious crimes. Used in both legal and everyday contexts. He was sent to prison for robbery The prison life is very hard
jail	Usually refers to a place where people are held for minor crimes or while awaiting trial. Used both formally and informally. She spent the night in jail after the incident He was released from jail on bail
penitentiary	A formal and somewhat older term. It often implies a large, secure facility for long-term imprisonment of serious offenders. He served 20 years in the state penitentiary The penitentiary is known for its strict rules
correctional facility	A formal term often used in legal and official contexts. It emphasizes the aspect of rehabilitation and correction. The state opened a new correctional facility last year He works as a guard at the correctional facility

Examples of usage

They sentenced him to five years in prison for the robbery.
She works as a prison guard in a maximum-security facility.
The prison system aims to reduce recidivism rates among ex-convicts.

Translations

Translations of the word "prison" in other languages:

🇵🇹 prisão

🇮🇳 जेल

🇩🇪 Gefängnis

🇮🇩 penjara

🇺🇦 в'язниця

🇵🇱 więzienie

🇯🇵 刑務所

🇫🇷 prison

🇪🇸 prisión

🇹🇷 hapishane

🇰🇷 감옥

🇸🇦 سجن

🇨🇿 vězení

🇸🇰 väzenie

🇨🇳 监狱

🇸🇮 zapori

🇮🇸 fangelsi

🇰🇿 түрме

🇬🇪 ციხე

🇦🇿 həbsxana

🇲🇽 prisión

Etymology

The word 'prison' originated from the Old French word 'prisun', which came from the Latin word 'prehendere' meaning 'to seize or capture'. The concept of imprisoning individuals as a form of punishment has been used throughout history in various civilizations, evolving into the modern prison system we have today.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,493, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.

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