confinement

noun

con·​fine·​ment kən-ˈfīn-mənt How to pronounce confinement (audio)
Synonyms of confinementnext
1
: an act of confining : the state of being confined
solitary confinement
2
: lying-in

Synonyms of confinement

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Examples of confinement in a Sentence

The dog was kept in confinement until it was determined to be healthy. He remained with his wife during her confinement.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Primary confinement boundary for plasma The vacuum vessel serves as the primary confinement boundary for the fusion plasma inside the reactor. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 30 July 2026 Even the same people who bred Flaco for captivity stumble through answers about why keeping wild animals in confinement is, somehow, the right choice for them. — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 30 July 2026 Each defendant would ultimately plead guilty to multiple charges, including conspiracy and cyberstalking, before receiving prison sentences or home confinement. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 29 July 2026 Court documents do not make clear what treatment, if any, Henrichsen received during his confinement. — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 23 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for confinement

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French, from confiner "to confine entry 2" + -ment -ment

First Known Use

1592, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of confinement was in 1592

Phrases Containing confinement

Rhymes for confinement

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Browse Nearby Words

confineless
confinement
confinement system
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Cite this Entry

“Confinement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/confinement. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Medical Definition

confinement

noun
con·​fine·​ment kən-ˈfīn-mənt How to pronounce confinement (audio)
: an act of confining : the state of being confined
especially : lying-in

Legal Definition

confinement

noun
con·​fine·​ment
1
: the act of confining
2
: the state of being confined

More from Merriam-Webster on confinement

Nglish: Translation of confinement for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about confinement

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