# prisoner

/ˈpɹɪzənɝ/ (US) · /pɹˈɪzənɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/prisoner
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. in a jail

noun · CEFR B1

someone who is kept in a prison because they have committed a crime or are waiting for a trial.

For teachers: a person legally incarcerated in a prison while awaiting trial or serving a sentence.

- The prisoner was released from jail after serving ten years for his crime.
- The facility was designed to house high-security prisoners who required constant supervision by armed guards.

Usage: often used with the verbs 'take', 'hold', or 'release'.

### 2. held against their will

noun · CEFR B1

a person who is captured and kept in a place by an enemy or a criminal.

For teachers: any individual held in captivity or under restraint by an opposing force or captor.

- The soldiers were taken prisoner during the battle and held for several months.
- Rebel forces claimed to have taken several high-ranking officials prisoner during the overnight raid on the capital.

Usage: frequently appears in the phrase 'take someone prisoner'.

### 3. trapped by a situation

noun · CEFR B2

someone who feels they cannot escape a difficult situation, like a bad job or a habit.

For teachers: a person who is or feels metaphorically confined or restricted by specific circumstances or psychological states.

- She felt like a prisoner in her own home because she was too ill to go outside.
- Many employees feel like prisoners of their high salaries, unable to leave stressful roles because of their financial commitments.

## Examples

- The prisoner spent most of the day in his cell.
- After the long trial, the prisoner was moved to a high-security facility to serve his ten-year sentence.
- International law dictates the humane treatment of any prisoner of war, ensuring they receive adequate food, medical care, and protection from public curiosity.

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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.