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.

Eight members of the church I founded are still behind bars.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 8, 2026

Former Metropolitan Police officer Colin Sutton, who helped put Levi Bellfield behind bars behind bars, said he "cannot see a way he committed these murders".

From BBC • Jul. 8, 2026

The Hillsborough County state attorney’s office had argued for Arnold to remain behind bars until trial.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 29, 2026

Under the deal, he’ll pay a $2.25 million fine and face up to five years behind bars.

From Slate • Jun. 26, 2026

Sometimes defenders have well over one hundred clients at a time; many of these clients are facing decades behind bars or life imprisonment.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander