B2nounformallawcrime
US/ɪmˈprɪz.ən.mənt/
UK/ɪmˈprɪz.ən.mənt/
the punishment of being kept in prison
In context
The court sentenced him to five years' imprisonment for fraud.
Drunk drivers who cause death can face imprisonment.
After years of imprisonment, he wrote a book about his experience.
Words that go with imprisonment
noun + noun
- life imprisonmentThe leader of the gang received life imprisonment.
noun + preposition
- period of imprisonmentHe now faces a long period of imprisonment.
- term of imprisonmentThe judge gave him a short term of imprisonment.
verb + preposition
- sentence to imprisonmentHe was sentenced to imprisonment for selling fake medicine.
verb + noun
- face imprisonmentAnyone who sells wild animals could face imprisonment.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
He was sentenced 10 years imprisonment.Correct: He was sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment.