Legal Definitions - inmate

Definition: A person who is confined in a prison, hospital, or other institution. It can also refer to a person who lives with others in a dwelling.

Examples:

• John is an inmate at the state prison.
• The hospital has many inmates who are receiving treatment.
• Back in the 1800s, it was common for families to have many inmates living in one house.

The first two examples illustrate the modern definition of an inmate, where a person is confined to a specific location, such as a prison or hospital. The third example is an archaic use of the term, where it refers to a person living with others in a dwelling.