pen in

phrase

: to prevent (someone or something) from moving beyond a particular area
The prisoners were penned in by a high fence.
—often used figuratively
She felt penned in by their relationship.

Examples of pen in 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.
State health officials suspect that the goats were exposed to rabies by a skunk that infiltrated their pen in late July. — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 2 Sep. 2026 The goats were most likely exposed to rabies by a skunk that had entered their pen in late July, according to the state health department, which was first notified of the rabies exposure on Thursday. — Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026 Somehow, Sanchez talked his way out of the Box and attended the two-day gathering at Otisville Correctional Facility, a medium-security pen in mid-state New York. — Rufus Walker, Rolling Stone, 28 June 2026 The Sharpie executive offered to make a pen in black and paint the White House on it and even his signature in gold. — Bart Jansen, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pen in

Rhymes for pen in

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Browse Nearby Words

penillion
pen in
peninsula
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Cite this Entry

“Pen in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pen%20in. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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