American English
/ɪmˈpʰɹɪ.zn̩.mn̩t̚/
4 syllables · Stress the second syllable.
the state of being kept in prison as a legal punishment
Practice out loudthe state of being kept in prison as a legal punishment
He was sentenced to ten years' imprisonment.
Her imprisonment ended after the court reviewed the case.
This is a formal word. Say “in prison,” not usually “in imprisonment,” when you mean the state of being in prison.
life imprisonment · a sentence of imprisonment · long-term imprisonment · imprisonment without parole
be sentenced to imprisonment
serve a sentence of imprisonment
the act of putting someone in prison or keeping them there
The report condemned the imprisonment of innocent people.
The lawyer challenged his unlawful imprisonment.
wrongful imprisonment · arbitrary imprisonment · unlawful imprisonment
the imprisonment of [someone]
[someone]'s imprisonment
a punishment that keeps a person in prison for the rest of their life
He was sentenced to life imprisonment.
a prison sentence with no planned release on parole
The judge sentenced him to imprisonment without parole.