Imprisonment

Definition

The state of being imprisoned; confinement in prison as a punishment after being convicted of a crime.

Parts of Speech

• Noun

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ɪmˈprɪzənmənt/
• Respelling: im-PRIZ-uhn-muhnt (with "im" as in "tin," "PRIZ" as in "prism," "uhn" as in "sofa," and "muhnt" as in "blunt")

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ɪmˈprɪzənmənt/
• Respelling: im-PRIZ-uhn-muhnt (with "im" as in "tin," "PRIZ" as in "prism," "uhn" as in "sofa," and "muhnt" as in "blunt")

In both dialects, "imprisonment" places the primary stress on the second syllable, "PRIZ." The pronunciation is the same across both American and British English, focusing on the clear articulation of "im-PRIZ-uhn-muhnt."

Etymology

The word "imprisonment" is derived from the verb "imprison", which comes from Old French "emprisoner", where "en-" means "in" and "prison" means "prison". The "-ment" suffix signifies the state or condition of being imprisoned.

Derivatives

• Imprison (verb)
• Prisoner (noun)
• Imprisonable (adjective)
• Incarceration (synonym)
• Confinement (synonym)

Synonyms

• Incarceration
• Confinement
• Custody

Antonyms

• Release
• Freedom
• Liberation

Usage

"Imprisonment" is used in legal, criminal justice, and human rights contexts to describe the act or state of confining someone in a prison as a legal penalty. It is a term commonly associated with the judicial system and the enforcement of law and order.

Related Terms

• Jail
• Detention
• Penitentiary
• Lockup
• Sentence

Detailed Definition

Noun

• Imprisonment (Confinement in a prison): The state of being confined in a prison or similar facility as a legal penalty.
  • Example: "He faced imprisonment for his role in the robbery."

• Imprisonment (Deprivation of liberty): The act of depriving someone of their freedom by confining them in a penal institution.
  • Example: "The activist was sentenced to five years of imprisonment for his protests."

Note: "Imprisonment" not only refers to the state of being confined in prison, but can also be used metaphorically to describe a state of being trapped or restricted by certain situations, emotions, or conditions.