\Im*pris"on ment\, n. [OE. enprisonment; F. emprisonnement.] The act of imprisoning, or the state of being imprisoned; confinement; restraint. His sinews waxen weak and raw Through long imprisonment and hard constraint. --Spenser. Every confinement of the person is an imprisonment, whether it be in a common prison, or in a private house, or even by foreibly detaining one in the public streets. --Blackstone. {False imprisonment}. (Law) See under {False}. Syn: Incarceration; custody; confinement; durance; restraint.