inmate

noun

in·​mate ˈin-ˌmāt How to pronounce inmate (audio)
Synonyms of inmatenext
: 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.
There are currently more than 153,000 federal inmates, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. — Luke Barr, ABC News, 8 July 2026 Bordley is being held in the Jackson County Detention Center on a $150,000 bond, according to the jail’s inmate listing. — Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 7 July 2026 Authorities have determined the cause and manner of death of a 45-year-old inmate who died in March after fainting while in custody at the San Diego Central Jail, sheriff’s officials said Tuesday. — Sydney Brammer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 July 2026 Shirley is behind bars at Madison Correctional Facility and has an earliest possible release date of September 2036, according to inmate records. — Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026 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

Rhymes for inmate

See All Rhymes for inmate

Browse Nearby Words

inmarry
inmate
inmeats
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Inmate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inmate. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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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

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for inmate

Nglish: Translation of inmate for Spanish Speakers

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