imprisonment
n. uncountable C1 Advanced Oxford US //ˌɪmˈpɹɪzənmənt// UK //ɪmpɹˈɪzənmənt// im·pris·on·ment
n. the state of being kept in a prison or a place you cannot leave. It is a legal punishment for a crime.
n. the state of being confined in prison; the act of restraining someone's liberty. Often used in legal contexts to describe a custodial sentence.
The judge sentenced the thief to five years of imprisonment.
After the long trial, the defendant faced life imprisonment for his role in the conspiracy.
The philosopher argued that solitary imprisonment constitutes a form of psychological torture that exceeds the state's right to punish criminal behavior.
From Anglo-Norman emprisonement, from Old French emprisonnement. See imprison + -ment.
Usage
Frequently follows the verb 'sentence to' or the adjective 'false'.