Word
imprisonment
Meanings
the punishment of being sent to prison for a period of time
the state or experience of being kept in prison
Definition
Imprisonment is the punishment of being kept in prison for a period of time.
Imprisonment is a legal punishment in which a person is confined in a prison and loses their freedom for a set period. It can also refer more generally to the state or experience of being held in prison. People often discuss imprisonment in terms of length, conditions, and its impact on individuals and society.
Examples
- The judge ruled that imprisonment was unavoidable given the seriousness of the offence.
- After the appeal failed, she prepared herself for a lengthy imprisonment away from her family.
- The report examines how short-term imprisonment can disrupt a person’s housing and employment.
- They argued that rehabilitation programs are more effective than imprisonment for minor crimes.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes use *imprisonment* as a countable noun (e.g., "an imprisonment"), but it is usually uncountable: "imprisonment" or "a prison sentence."
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