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Criminal Law & Justice vocabulary · Sentencing & Punishment

Imprisonment

Meaning in criminal law & justice, with examples

/ɪmˈprɪznmənt/nounCore term

In criminal law & justice, imprisonment means: The punishment of being kept in prison for a period of time; also the state of being in prison.

In Turkish: hapis cezası, hapis, hürriyeti bağlayıcı ceza

How it is used

Formal and common in statutes and judgments: 'a term of imprisonment', 'sentenced to two years' imprisonment', 'punishable by imprisonment'. Everyday English often prefers 'prison sentence' or 'jail term'. Statutes state the 'maximum term of imprisonment' for each offence.

Example sentences

  1. The offence is punishable by up to five years' imprisonment.

  2. The judge said a term of imprisonment was unavoidable.

  3. Long periods of imprisonment can make it harder to return to normal life.

Common collocations

  • term of imprisonment
  • punishable by imprisonment
  • life imprisonment
  • false imprisonment
  • prisonA secure building where people are kept as punishment after a conviction or while they wait for their trial.
  • sentenceThe punishment that a judge gives a person who has been found guilty; as a verb, to give someone a particular punishment.
  • life sentenceThe most severe prison sentence in many countries, given for very serious crimes such as murder; it does not always mean the person stays in prison until death.
  • suspended sentenceA prison sentence that the offender does not have to serve unless they commit another offence or break certain conditions during a set period.

More terms: Sentencing & Punishment

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not legal advice.