incarceration

/in,kɑ:sə'reiʃn/

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Word: Incarceration

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition: Incarceration means the state of being imprisoned or confined. It refers to someone being kept in a prison or jail as a punishment for a crime or because they are held captive.

Usage Instructions:

• Use "incarceration" when talking about legal situations, prisons, or when discussing the confinement of people. It is often used in serious contexts related to law and justice.

Example Sentences:

1. After the trial, the judge ordered his incarceration for five years due to his crimes.
2. Many people debate the effects of incarceration on individuals and society as a whole.
3. The documentary highlighted the harsh conditions of incarceration in some facilities.

Advanced Usage:

• Incarceration can also be discussed in terms of its social implications, such as its impact on families, communities, and the overall justice system.
• You might encounter the term in discussions about criminal justice reform, rehabilitation, and human rights.

Word Variants:

• Incarcerate (verb): To imprison someone.
  • Example: The court decided to incarcerate him for his offenses.
• Incarcerated (adjective): Describing someone who is imprisoned.
  • Example: The incarcerated individuals were given opportunities for education.

Different Meanings:

• While "incarceration" primarily refers to imprisonment, in a broader sense, it can also imply any form of confinement or restriction (though this is less common).

Synonyms:

• Imprisonment
• Confinement
• Detention
• Captivity

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• Behind bars: This idiom means to be in prison.
  • Example: After his conviction, he found himself behind bars.
• Lock up: A phrasal verb meaning to put someone in prison.
  • Example: The police decided to lock him up after the investigation.

Summary:

"Incarceration" is a noun that describes the state of being in prison. It is important in discussions about crime and justice. Remember that it can also relate to the effects of imprisonment on individuals and society.

Academic

Noun

1. the state of being imprisoned
   • he was held in captivity until he died
   • the imprisonment of captured soldiers
   • his ignominious incarceration in the local jail
   • he practiced the immurement of his enemies in the castle dungeon

Synonyms

• captivity
• imprisonment
• immurement