这些动词均含“监禁”之意。

confine : 指监禁或幽禁；也指任何使行动受到限制的行为。

• The hostages had been confined for so long that they couldn't cope with the outside world.
  人质被关押了那么久，以致于他们对外面的世界一时适应不了。
• Keep the dog confined in a suitable travelling cage.
  把狗关进适于旅行的笼子里。
• Here the river is confined in a narrow channel.
  这条河在这里流入狭窄的河床。
• The soldiers concerned were confined to barracks (= had to stay in the barracks , as a punishment).
  有关的士兵已受到不得离开营房的禁闭处分。

imprison : 较正式用词，多指较长时间的监禁。

• He was imprisoned in 1965 for attempted murder.
  他因谋杀未遂于1965年被监禁。
• Unable to go out because of the deep snow, she felt imprisoned in her own house.
  她因雪深无法外出，感觉自己像被囚在了屋内。
• They were imprisoned for possession of drugs.
  他们因拥有毒品而被监禁。
• Some young mothers feel imprisoned in their own homes.
  有些年轻的母亲感到待在家里如同坐牢。

jail : （英国用gaol）多指审判之间的拘禁或对罪行较轻的罪犯的监禁。

• He was jailed for life for murder.
  他因谋杀罪被终身监禁。
• He was jailed for three years.
  他被监禁了3年。