TOP

Definition of imprison verb from the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

     

    imprison

     verb
    verb
    NAmE//ɪmˈprɪzn//
     
    [often passive] imprison somebodyVerb Forms present simple I / you / we / they imprison
     
    he / she / it imprisons
     
    past simple imprisoned
     
    -ing form imprisoning
     
     
    jump to other results
  1. 1to put someone in a prison or another place from which they cannot escape synonym jail They were imprisoned for possession of drugs.
  2. 2(figurative) Some young mothers feel imprisoned in their own homes. Topic CollocationsCriminal Justicebreaking the law
    • break/violate/obey/uphold the law
    • be investigated/arrested/tried for a crime/a robbery/fraud
    • be arrested/indicted/convicted on felony charges/on charges of rape/fraud
    • be arrested on suspicion of arson/robbery/shoplifting
    • be accused of/be charged with murder/homicide/four counts of fraud
    • face two charges of assault and battery
    • admit your guilt/liability/responsibility (for something)
    • deny the allegations/claims/charges
    • confess to a crime
    • be granted/be refused/be released on/skip/jump bail
    the legal process
    • stand/await/bring somebody to/come to/be on trial
    • take somebody to/come to/settle something out of court
    • face/avoid/escape prosecution
    • seek/retain/have the right to/be denied access to legal counsel
    • hold/conduct/attend/adjourn a hearing/trial
    • sit on/influence/persuade/convince/advise a jury
    • stand/appear/be brought before a judge
    • plead guilty/not guilty to a crime
    • be called to/take/put somebody on the stand/the witness stand
    • call/subpoena/question/cross-examine a witness
    • give/hear the evidence against/on behalf of somebody
    • raise/withdraw/overrule an objection
    • reach a unanimous/majority verdict
    • return/deliver/record a verdict of guilty/not guilty
    • convict/acquit the defendant of the crime
    • secure a conviction/your acquittal
    • lodge/file an appeal
    • appeal (against)/challenge/uphold/overturn a conviction/verdict
    sentencing and punishment
    • sentence somebody to 5 years in prison/2 years' probation
    • carry/face/serve a seven-year/life sentence
    • receive/be given the death penalty
    • be sentenced to ten years (in prison/jail)
    • carry/impose/pay a fine (of $3,000)/a penalty (of 14 years' imprisonment)
    • be imprisoned/jailed for drug possession/fraud/murder
    • do/serve time/ten years
    • be sent to/put somebody in/be released from jail/prison
    • be/put somebody/spend 13 years on death row
    • be granted/be denied/violate (your) parole
    • ⇨ more collocations at crime
imprisonment
 
jump to other results
 
noun [uncountable] to be sentenced to life imprisonment for murder
See imprison in the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary