Cool MateImprisonment
UK /["/ɪmˈprɪznmənt/"]/US /["/ɪmˈprɪznmənt/"]/
Definition
the act of putting somebody in a prison or another place from which they cannot escape; the state of being there
In simple words: being put in prison
Examples
- to be sentenced to **life imprisonment** for murder
Usage notes
Typically used in legal contexts or discussions about justice. Less common in everyday conversation, and may sound overly formal in casual speech.
Grammar pattern
imprisonment + of/by + agent
Memory hint
Think of 'im-prison-ment' as being stuck in a 'prison'.
Collocations
- serve imprisonment
- face imprisonment
- long-term imprisonment
Synonyms
- confinement
- detention
- captivity
- incarceration
Antonyms
- freedom
- liberation
Common mistakes
- Confused with 'incarceration', which is more specific
- Using in informal contexts where simpler terms like 'jail' might fit better