Incarceration - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Incarceration is the act of confining someone in prison or jail as a form of legal punishment. It is used when individuals are convicted of crimes and sentenced to imprisonment.
Definition:
The state of being confined in prison; imprisonment.
Synonyms:
imprisonment, confinement, detention, custody
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
freedom, liberation
Common Collocations:
mass incarceration, wrongful incarceration, long-term incarceration
Derivatives:
incarcerate, incarcerated, incarcerating
Usage Tips:
Use "incarceration" to formally describe imprisonment, often in legal or social justice contexts.
Common Phrases:
behind bars, serving time, locked up
Etymology:
From Latin "incarcerare," meaning "to imprison," combining "in-" (into) and "carcer" (prison).
Examples:
- 1. The judge sentenced him to five years of incarceration.
- 2. Many activists oppose the high rates of incarceration for minor offenses.
- 3. Her research focuses on the effects of incarceration on families.
- 4. The documentary exposed the harsh conditions of incarceration in the facility.