French word

emprisonner

Pronunciation

IPA/ɑ̃pʁizone/

Meaning

  • verbjail

Example

La police a emprisonné le voleur hier.

The police jailed the thief yesterday.

Illustration for emprisonner (jail)

More examples

S'il vole, on peut l'emprisonner.

If he steals, they can imprison him.

Core concept

A person is put behind locked prison walls under the control of the authorities.

Common phrases

  • emprisonner quelqu'un

    imprison someone

  • emprisonner à vie

    imprison for life

  • faire emprisonner quelqu'un

    have someone imprisoned

Similar words

arrêter: Take someone into custody at the scene because of suspected criminal activity.
enfermer: Shut someone inside a locked room or building.
détenir: Keep someone in custody for a limited time, with their freedom restricted.
incarcérer: Commit someone to prison following a court ruling or official order.

Definition in French

Placer quelqu'un en détention dans un établissement pénal, généralement par décision judiciaire ou action policière.

Word origin

Emprisonner combines en- with prison and the verb ending -er; prison comes through Old French from Latin prehensio, related to prehendere, 'to seize'.

Usage tips

  • Emprisonner takes a direct object, as in emprisonner quelqu'un, while the passive form is être emprisonné.

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word