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Prisoner Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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prisoner

[ˈprɪz.ə.nər ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

in jail

A person who is confined in prison as a punishment for a crime or while awaiting trial.

Synonyms

convict, inmate, offender.

Examples of usage

  • He was arrested and charged as a prisoner.
  • The prisoner was released on parole after serving five years.
  • She visited her brother who was a prisoner in the local jail.
Context #2 | Noun

of war

A person captured and held by an enemy during a war.

Synonyms

POW, captive, detainee.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
prisoner

Commonly used for someone who is serving time in a prison as a punishment for a crime. It is a general term.

  • The prisoner was allowed to make one phone call.
  • She has been a prisoner in that facility for five years.
captive

Best used when someone is being held by force, typically in a situation of war or kidnapping.

  • The soldiers freed the hostages from their captives.
  • The explorer was held captive by the tribe.
POW

An acronym for 'Prisoner of War,' used specifically to describe a soldier who has been captured by the enemy during a conflict.

  • The soldier was officially listed as a POW.
  • During the war, many soldiers were taken as POWs.
detainee

Appropriate for someone who is kept in custody, often temporarily, typically by law enforcement or during investigations.

  • The police questioned the detainee for hours.
  • Human rights organizations are concerned about the treatment of detainees.

Examples of usage

  • The prisoners of war were treated humanely according to the Geneva Convention.
  • The soldiers were instructed to take the prisoners to the designated camp.

Translations

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

Interesting Facts

Historical Context

  • In Ancient Rome, prisoners could be kept in underground cells or public dungeons, showcasing the brutal conditions of imprisonment.
  • During the Middle Ages, castles often had dungeons where prisoners were kept, sometimes for petty crimes.
  • The concept of rehabilitation for prisoners only began to emerge in the 18th century, shifting from punishment to correction.

Cultural Representation

  • Prisoners are frequent subjects in literature and film, illustrating struggles for freedom or justice, such as in 'The Shawshank Redemption.'
  • Many songs address themes of incarceration and personal freedom, reflecting societal views on crime and punishment.

Psychology

  • Studies have shown that extended confinement can lead to psychological issues, such as anxiety and depression, reflecting on human needs for social interaction.
  • The idea of 'prisoner’s dilemma' in game theory explores decision-making in situations of mutual cooperation vs. betrayal.

Current Issues

  • Globally, debates on prison reform focus on treatment, rehabilitation, and the disproportionate impact of incarceration on marginalized communities.
  • The phenomenon of mass incarceration in the United States raises questions about fairness in the legal system and its impact on families.

Origin of 'prisoner'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'carcer,' meaning jail, which influenced several languages including French and Spanish.
  • In Middle English, the term 'prisoun' was used to describe the act of being confined.

The word 'prisoner' originated in the Middle English period, derived from the Old French 'prisonnier,' which came from the Latin 'prehendere' meaning 'to seize.' The concept of imprisonment as a form of punishment has evolved over centuries, reflecting changes in societal norms and legal systems.

See also: imprison, prisoners.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,710, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.