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noun Uncommon

incarceration

ihng-kah-suh-RAY-shuhn
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Incarceration (noun) means Imprisonment; the state or act of being locked up. Example: “He spent five years in incarceration before his release.”

noun
1
Imprisonment; the state or act of being locked up.
"He spent five years in incarceration before his release."
"The report looked at the effects of long-term incarceration on mental health."

How to use incarceration

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishBeing kept in prison.

Common pairings
mass incarceration years of incarceration incarceration rate
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Word forms

Plural
incarcerations
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

He spent five years in _____ before his release.

Etymology

From Medieval Latin incarcerātio, built on incarcerate, itself from Latin carcer, "prison."

Origin: Medieval Latin

Related words

Rhymes for incarceration

See all rhymes for incarceration →

Frequently asked questions

What does “incarceration” mean?
The word “incarceration” means imprisonment; the state or act of being locked up. In plain terms, being kept in prison.
How do you pronounce “incarceration”?
“Incarceration” is pronounced ihng-kah-suh-RAY-shuhn (/ɪŋˌkɑː(ɹ)səˈɹeɪʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “incarceration” in a sentence?
Here is “incarceration” used in a sentence: “He spent five years in incarceration before his release.”
What part of speech is “incarceration”?
“Incarceration” is a noun.
Where does the word “incarceration” come from?
The word “incarceration” comes from Medieval Latin. From Medieval Latin incarcerātio, built on incarcerate, itself from Latin carcer, "prison.".
Is “incarceration” a common word?
“Incarceration” is an uncommon word in modern English.

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