Definitions

behind bars

VERB

serving jail time

Synonyms

WEAK

confined imprisoned in jail in prison incarcerated jailed put away serving time under lock and key

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The judge sentenced him to 33 months behind bars, but a federal appeals court in December ordered Hankison freed while it reviews his case, nodding to Keenan’s arguments.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026

Kornev’s tragedy is that, while he may not be behind bars, he can’t see the prison he’s trapped in.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

A British woman detained in Iran has given a stark account of her life behind bars.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

The judge explained Bennett would serve at least two-thirds of his 30-year sentence behind bars.

From BBC • Mar. 16, 2026

Thorarinsson said that Fischer, locked behind bars, reminded him of Hamlet, and then he quoted a line from Shakespeare’s play:

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady