English · Word Candidate

dungeon

/ˈdʌn.d͡ʒən/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: dungeons · dungeoning · dungeoned

Sense 1

Meaning · English

An underground prison or vault, typically built underneath a castle.

Noun

Examples

Year after year he lay patiently in a dungeon.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

The low area between two drumlins.

Noun

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

To imprison in a dungeon.

Verb

Examples

Of every act of severity, of every bold violation of the constitution, of every bill for dungeoning and gagging the people, of every tax, of every loan, of all that set frugality at defiance, and that mocked at mercy, these men had been either the authors or the most strenuous supporters […]

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “dungeon” mean?

An underground prison or vault, typically built underneath a castle.

Is “dungeon” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.