- a variation of jail.
gaol
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Duer was dragged to the gaol on March 23, trailed by mobs of creditors, including members of the city’s most prominent families.
From Barron's ● Mar. 1, 2026
For a city boy like Robert, the place was, Summerscale writes, “both gaol and sanctuary, fortress and enchanted castle.”
From Slate ● Jul. 22, 2016
The final day of March in 2016 marks 20 years since the gaol closed its doors to prisoners and, over the course of 150 years, it has been at the heart of many historic moments.
From BBC ● Mar. 31, 2016
Amid uproar in court, Marie was found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment with hard labour at Montpellier gaol, although the latter part of the sentence was subsequently commuted.
From The Guardian ● Dec. 22, 2015
I have chosen this course which is more difficult and which entails more risk and hardship than sitting in gaol.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
