Definition

1. Noun:
   • Confinement to one's own home as a form of detention: A legal or official order requiring a person to remain within their residence, often as an alternative to imprisonment. It is a form of restriction on movement and liberty.

Usage

• House arrest is typically imposed by a court or government authority.
• It is often used for political figures, individuals awaiting trial, or as a punitive measure.
• The person under house arrest is usually monitored, sometimes with electronic tagging, and may have restrictions on visitors and communication.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The activist was placed under house arrest for criticizing the government.
  • She served her sentence under house arrest rather than in a prison cell.
  • The court ordered six months of house arrest with electronic monitoring.

Advanced Usage

• To be under house arrest: The standard phrase describing the state of being confined.
  • The former leader has been under house arrest for three years.
• To place someone under house arrest: The action taken by an authority.
  • The judge decided to place the defendant under house arrest pending trial.

Variants and Related Words

• Home confinement: A more formal or alternative term with a similar meaning.
• Detention: A broader term for the act of being held in custody.
• Custodial sentence: A legal term for a punishment involving imprisonment, which house arrest may sometimes replace.

Synonyms

• Home detention
• Confinement to quarters (military context)

Related Phrases

• Electronic monitoring: A common technology used to enforce house arrest.
• Curfew: A less severe restriction requiring a person to be at home during specific hours, often part of house arrest conditions.

Noun

1. confinement to your own home