inmate

noun

in·​mate ˈin-ˌmāt How to pronounce inmate (audio)
: any of a group occupying a single place of residence
especially : a person confined (as in a prison or hospital)

Examples of inmate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Cooper added that the Sheriff’s Office is facing financial challenges due to the implementation of the Mays Consent Decree, the result of a settlement that found Sacramento County failed to provide humane treatment of its jail inmates. Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 6 June 2025 His efforts aimed to reduce recidivism rates and promote policies that support the successful reentry of former inmates into society. Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025 The latest list of inmates subject to detainers released by Corrections to the Miami Herald at the start of 2025 showed about 8,000 inmates had been subject to the ICE detention requests since 2017, and about 5,400 people had been released to federal immigration authorities. Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 6 June 2025 His escape came days after a group of 10 inmates at a New Orleans jail made a similarly brazen escape, prompting a national manhunt. Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 6 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for inmate

Word History

First Known Use

1609, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of inmate was in 1609

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Cite this Entry

“Inmate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inmate. Accessed 9 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

inmate

noun
in·​mate ˈin-ˌmāt How to pronounce inmate (audio)
: a member of a group living in a single residence
especially : a person kept in an institution (as a hospital or prison)

Medical Definition

inmate

noun
in·​mate ˈin-ˌmāt How to pronounce inmate (audio)
: one of a group occupying a single place of residence
especially : a person confined (as in a psychiatric hospital) especially for a long time

Legal Definition

inmate

noun
in·​mate ˈin-ˌmāt How to pronounce inmate (audio)
: a person confined in an institution (as a prison or hospital)

More from Merriam-Webster on inmate

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