prison

Everyday

1. A building where people who have broken the law are kept as a punishment. tree →
2. A place or situation where someone feels trapped. tree →

In the lessons

In stories, news and social studies: criminals are sent to prison. In UK and Ireland also "jail" or "gaol"; in the USA "jail" is for short stays and "prison" for long ones. Phrases: go to prison, in prison, prison officer, prison cell.

Examples

• The thief was sent to prison for two years. tree →
• The castle was once used as a prison. tree →
• A prison officer guards the cells. tree →
• He escaped from prison in the story. tree →
• Being stuck indoors all summer felt like a prison. tree →
• She visited her uncle in prison. tree →
• Here, guards! away with him to the prison. tree →

Note

"In prison" and "go to prison" without "the" when you mean being punished; "the prison" for the building. A person in prison is a prisoner. Synonyms: jail, gaol (UK old spelling), (slang) nick, slammer.

In Jewish tradition

In the Joseph story it is the king's jail, where the king's prisoners were bound. In the later books prison is where Jeremiah and King Jehoiachin were held, and Ecclesiastes says a king may rise from prison.

Interpretation. Tradition sees Joseph's time in prison as a step in God's plan, which led him to stand before Pharaoh. Jehoiachin's release from prison is read as a sign of hope that David's line was not ended.

Examples

• But the LORD was with Joseph, and showed kindness unto him, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison. (Torah GEN.39.21, JPS 1917) tree →
• And he put them in ward in the house of the captain of the guard, into the prison, the place where Joseph was bound. (Torah GEN.40.3, JPS 1917) tree →
• And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, the place where the king's prisoners were bound; and he was there in the prison. (Torah GEN.39.20, JPS 1917) tree →
• For out of prison he came forth to be king; although in his kingdom he was born poor. (Writings ECC.4.14, JPS 1917) tree →
• Now Jeremiah came in and went out among the people; for they had not put him into prison. (Prophets JER.37.4, JPS 1917) tree →
• And he changed his prison garments, and did eat bread before him continually all the days of his life. (Prophets 2KI.25.29, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

"In prison" and "go to prison" without "the" when you mean being punished; "the prison" for the building. A person in prison is a prisoner. Synonyms: jail, gaol (UK old spelling), (slang) nick, slammer.