n.
Pronunciation: ' pri-z ə n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin prehension-, prehensio act of seizing, from prehendere to seize ― more at GET
Date: 12th century
1 : a state of confinement or captivity
2 : a place of confinement especially for lawbreakers specifically : an institution (as one under state jurisdiction) for confinement of persons convicted of serious crimes ― compare JAIL