Jail — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈjāl/

Meaning & Definition of Jail

Jail (noun)

  1. a place of confinement for persons held in lawful custody; specifically, such a place under the jurisdiction of a local government (such as a county) for the confinement of persons awaiting trial or those convicted of minor crimes
  2. confinement in a jail

Jail (verb)

  1. to confine in or as if in a jail

Jail (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a place of confinement for persons held in lawful custody

    "sentenced to three years in jail for his crime"

    similar: bastille, big house (slang), bridewell, brig, calaboose, can, clink (slang), cooler, coop, guardroom, hock, hold, hoosegow, jailhouse, joint (slang), jug, lockup, nick (British slang), pen, penitentiary, pokey (slang), prison, quod (British slang), slam, slammer, stir (slang), stockade, tolbooth (Scottish)
    related: bull pen, cage, cell, hole, tank, block, ward, glasshouse (British), guardhouse, hulk(s), concentration camp, gulag, labor camp, prison camp, stalag, work camp, dungeon, keep, oubliette, reformatory, reform school, training school
    near: outside

Jail (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to put in or as if in prison

    "threatened to jail the punks if they so much as jaywalked"

    similar: commit, confine, immure, imprison, incarcerate, intern, jug, lock (up)
    related: constrain, limit, restrain, restrict, shut, bar, gate, apprehend, arrest, bust (slang), capture, catch, detain, nab, pick up, pinch, seize, impress, shanghai, hold, impound, keep, bind, enchain, fetter, handcuff, manacle, shackle, trammel
    opposite: discharge, free, liberate, release
    near: emancipate, enfranchise, manumit, unbind, uncage, unchain, unfetter

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Jail

The most common words with a similar meaning to Jail:

Slang: big house, clink, joint, pokey, stir
British slang: nick, quod
Scottish: tolbooth
bastille, bridewell, brig, calaboose, can, cooler, coop, guardroom, hock, hold, hoosegow, jailhouse, jug, lockup, pen, penitentiary, prison, slam, slammer, stockade, commit, confine, immure, imprison, incarcerate, intern, lock (up)

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Jail

Words with the opposite meaning of Jail:

discharge, free, liberate, release

Related Words for Jail

bull pen, cage, cell, hole, tank, block, ward, glasshouse, guardhouse, hulk(s), concentration camp, gulag, labor camp, prison camp, stalag, work camp, dungeon, keep, oubliette, reformatory, reform school, training school, constrain, limit, restrain, restrict, shut, bar, gate, apprehend

Near Antonyms of Jail

outside, emancipate, enfranchise, manumit, unbind, uncage, unchain, unfetter

Word Forms of Jail

Inflections: jailed, jailing, jails

Origin & Etymology of Jail

Middle English jaiole, from Anglo-French gaiole, jaiole, from Late Latin caveola, diminutive of Latin cavea cage cage

First known use: 13th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Jail

Words & Phrases Containing Jail

get out of jail free card, jailbreak, left to rot in jail/prison

Frequently Asked Questions about Jail

What does "Jail" mean?

"Jail" means a place of confinement for persons held in lawful custody; specifically, such a place under the jurisdiction of a local government (such as a county) for the confinement of persons awaiting trial or those convicted of minor crimes. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: a place of confinement for persons held in lawful custody; specifically, such a place under the jurisdiction of a local government (such as a county) for the confinement of persons awaiting trial or those convicted of minor crimes. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Jail"?

Other words for "Jail" include bastille, big house, bridewell, brig, calaboose, can, clink and cooler. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Jail" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Jail"?

There are 84 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Jail". Common alternatives include bastille, big house, bridewell, brig, calaboose, can, clink, cooler, coop and guardroom.

What is a slang word for "Jail"?

Slang words for "Jail" include big house, clink, joint, pokey, stir and nick.

What is the opposite of "Jail"?

Antonyms of "Jail" include discharge, free, liberate and release. Near antonyms include outside, emancipate, enfranchise and manumit.

How do you use "Jail" in a sentence?

Examples of "Jail" in a sentence: "sentenced to three years in jail for his crime"; "threatened to jail the punks if they so much as jaywalked".

Is "Jail" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Jail" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Jail" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Jail" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.