The verb is pronounced /kənfaɪn/. The noun 'confines' is pronounced /kɒnfaɪnz/.
( confines confining, confined)
1.
To confine something to a particular place or group means to prevent it from spreading beyond that place or group.
Health officials have successfully confined the epidemic to the Tabatinga area...
The US will soon be taking steps to confine the conflict.
= restrict
VERB : V n to n , V n
2.
If you confine yourself or your activities to something, you do only that thing and are involved with nothing else.
He did not confine himself to the one language...
His genius was not confined to the decoration of buildings.
= limit, restrict
VERB : V pron-refl to n , V-ed
3.
If someone is confined to a mental institution, prison, or other place, they are sent there and are not allowed to leave for a period of time.
The woman will be confined to a mental institution...
VERB : usu passive , be V-ed to n
4.
Something that is within the confines of an area or place is within the boundaries enclosing it. ( FORMAL )
The movie is set entirely within the confines of the abandoned factory.
N-PLURAL : usu prep the N of n
5.
The confines of a situation, system, or activity are the limits or restrictions it involves.
...away from the confines of the British class system...
I can’t stand the confines of this marriage.
= constraints
N-PLURAL : usu the N of n