Definition

Noun: 1. A person who is legally held in custody, especially as a punishment for a crime or while awaiting trial. This is the most common meaning, referring to someone confined in a jail or prison. 2. A person who is captured and held against their will, such as a prisoner of war. This extends the meaning to any form of captivity, not just legal imprisonment. 3. (Figurative) A person or thing that is trapped or confined by a situation, condition, or emotion. This metaphorical usage describes a lack of freedom.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Legal Custody):
  • The prisoner was escorted back to his cell.
  • She visited her brother, who was a prisoner in the state penitentiary.
• Noun (Captivity):
  • The soldiers were held as prisoners for three years.
  • The rebels took several civilians prisoner.
• Noun (Figurative):
  • After his injury, he became a prisoner in his own home.
  • She felt like a prisoner to her demanding job.

Advanced Usage

• "Prisoner of conscience": A person imprisoned for their political, religious, or other beliefs, who has not used or advocated violence.
  • The organization campaigns for the release of prisoners of conscience worldwide.
• "Take/hold someone prisoner": To capture and confine someone.
  • The journalist was taken prisoner by the militant group.

Variants and Related Words

• Prisoner of War (POW) (n): A person who is captured and imprisoned by the enemy during a war.
  • The treaty ensured the repatriation of all prisoners of war.
• Political Prisoner (n): A person imprisoned for their political activities or beliefs.
• Imprison (v): To put or keep someone in prison.
• Incarcerate (v): A formal synonym for imprison.

Synonyms

• Inmate: A person confined to an institution such as a prison or hospital.
• Convict: A person found guilty of a criminal offense and serving a sentence in prison.
• Captive: A person who has been taken prisoner or held in confinement.
• Detainee: A person held in custody, typically for political reasons or without formal charge.

Related Phrases

• Prisoner's dilemma: A standard example in game theory showing why two rational individuals might not cooperate, even if it appears to be in their best interest.
• Prisoner at the bar: (Archaic/Legal) A prisoner being tried in court.

Idioms

• To be a prisoner of (something): To be completely controlled or restricted by something.
  • He was a prisoner of his own fear, unable to leave the house.

Noun

1. a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war