# imprisonment

/ˌɪmˈpɹɪzənmənt/ (US) · /ɪmpɹˈɪzənmənt/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/imprisonment
Updated: 2026-05-02

## Definition

the state of being kept in a prison or a place you cannot leave. It is a legal punishment for a crime.

For teachers: the state of being confined in prison; the act of restraining someone's liberty. Often used in legal contexts to describe a custodial sentence.

## Examples

- 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.

## Usage notes

- Frequently follows the verb 'sentence to' or the adjective 'false'.

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