prison

Etymology

From Middle English prisoun, prison, a borrowing from Old French prison, from Latin prehensiōnem, accusative singular of prehensiō, from the verb prehendō. Doublet of prehension.

noun

1. A place or institution where people are held against their will, in the US especially for long-term confinement, as of those convicted of serious crimes or otherwise considered undesirable by the government.
   The cold stone walls of the prison had stood for over a century.
2. (uncountable) Confinement in prison.
   Prison was a harrowing experience for him.
3. (colloquial, figurative) Any restrictive environment, such as a harsh academy or home.
   The academy was a prison for many of its students because of its strict teachers.

verb

1. (transitive) To imprison.