Imprisoned
[ɪmˈprɪznd]
Definitions
2 meaningsTo confine or put in prison; to restrict freedom.
[ɪmˈprɪzn]
To put or keep someone in prison or confinement.
The rebels were imprisoned by the ruling government.
💡 Simply: Think of it like putting someone behind bars, like in a jail. It means they can't go anywhere they want.
👶 For kids: When someone is sent to jail or can't leave a certain place, we say they are imprisoned.
More Examples
He was imprisoned for his crimes.
The king imprisoned his enemies in the castle dungeons.
How It's Used
"The judge imprisoned the suspect for five years."
"Many political dissidents were imprisoned for their beliefs."
Being kept in confinement; restricted in freedom.
[ɪmˈprɪznd]
Confined in or as if in a prison.
The imprisoned artist longed for freedom.
💡 Simply: It means being stuck in one place and not being able to go anywhere. Imagine being stuck in your room and not being allowed outside.
👶 For kids: If you are stuck somewhere, like in your room or in a game, you can be called imprisoned.
More Examples
The dog felt imprisoned by the fence.
His mind was imprisoned by grief.
How It's Used
"The imprisoned bird sang a mournful tune."
"She felt imprisoned by her own fear."
Idioms & expressions
behind bars
Imprisoned
"He spent ten years behind bars."
lock someone up
To imprison someone.
"The police locked him up after the robbery."
From Middle English *emprysonen*, from Old French *emprisonner* (“to put in prison”), from *en-* (“in”) + *prison* (“prison”).
The word 'imprisoned' has been used since the medieval period and has consistently referred to confinement or restriction of freedom.
Memory tip
Imagine a 'prison' with 'im' (in) at the beginning – to put someone in prison.
Word Origin
"to put in prison"