# confinement

/kənˈfaɪnmənt/ (US) · /kənfˈaɪnmənt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/confinement
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. restriction or imprisonment

noun · CEFR B2

the state of being kept in a place you cannot leave, like a prison or a small room.

For teachers: the act of keeping someone or something within a restricted space or the state of being so restricted.

- The prisoner was kept in solitary confinement for several weeks.
- After months of confinement in the cramped cabin, the explorers were desperate to reach the shore and stretch their legs.

Usage: Often used in the phrase 'solitary confinement' to describe being kept alone in a cell.

### 2. childbirth

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Formal

an old word for the time when a woman stays in bed to give birth to a baby.

For teachers: the period during which a woman is restricted to her bed or home for the purpose of giving birth.

- In the 1800s, women often stayed in their rooms for weeks during their confinement.
- The queen's confinement was expected to begin in early spring, with the royal physicians remaining on constant standby.

Teaching tip: This sense is archaic; modern speakers use 'maternity leave' or 'labour' instead.

### 3. lockdown or isolation

noun · CEFR B2

being forced to stay at home or in one place because of a rule or a disease.

For teachers: the restriction of movement or social interaction, typically imposed as a public health or security measure.

- The city entered a period of confinement to stop the spread of the virus.
- The sudden confinement of the population led to a significant increase in the use of digital communication tools for remote work.

## Examples

- The bird lived in confinement for years.
- After the surgery, the patient spent three days in strict confinement to recover safely.
- The author described the confinement of the prison cell as a physical manifestation of his internal guilt and isolation.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.