I. ˈpriz ə n noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English prison, prisoun, prisun, from Old French prison, prisun, from Latin prehension-, prehensio act of seizing, from prehensus (past participle of prehendere to seize, grasp) + -ion-, -io -ion — more at prehensile
1. : a place or condition of confinement or restraint (as of a person) : imprisonment
put in prison
prison seldom cures the criminal
2. : a building or other place for the safe custody or confinement of criminals or others (as formerly debtors) committed by lawful authority ; often : an institution for the imprisonment of persons convicted of major crimes or felonies : a penitentiary as distinguished from a reformatory, local jail, or detention home
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English prisonen, from prison, n.
chiefly dialect : to put or keep in restraint : imprison , confine