jail
a prison, especially one for the detention of persons awaiting trial or convicted of minor offenses.
to take into or hold in lawful custody; imprison.
Origin of jail
1- Also British, gaol .
Other words from jail
- jail·a·ble, adjective
- jailless, adjective
- jaillike, adjective
- non·jail·a·ble, adjective
- re·jail, verb (used with object)
- un·jailed, adjective
Words that may be confused with jail
- jail , prison
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use jail in a sentence
Jacob Cordova, 27, is the latest activist to be jailed for their activities.
Texas Gun Slingers Police the Police—With a Black Panthers Tactic | Brandy Zadrozny | January 2, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTWithin a few years, Iran had jailed or driven from the country more than 60 Sunni clerics.
The Dangerous Drug-Funded Secret War Between Iran and Pakistan | Umar Farooq | December 29, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTTavakoli and the scores of other activists, bloggers, journalists and lawyers jailed in Iran deserve our unwavering support.
Behind Bars for the Holidays: 11 Political Prisoners We Want to See Free In 2015 | Movements.Org | December 25, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTInstead, he is cruelly jailed solely for the peaceful expression of his beliefs.
Behind Bars for the Holidays: 11 Political Prisoners We Want to See Free In 2015 | Movements.Org | December 25, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTIt is a near certainty that jailed gays and lesbians face horrifying violence in prison.
I see how maybe I could get me and Jim rid of the frauds; get them jailed here, and then leave.
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Complete | Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)Within six months, if you're not sandbagged or jailed on fake libel suits, you'll have a unique bibliography of swindles.
Average Jones | Samuel Hopkins AdamsHer brother Bob was jailed again on Christmas day for drawin a gun on one of the Groudys.
The Wayfarers | Mary Stewart CuttingFormer laborers had fled or had been conscripted, jailed, or killed.
The Haciendas of Mexico | Paul Alexander BartlettThat was a good move—getting Ludlow and the two Helgersons jailed.
The Quickening | Francis Lynde
British Dictionary definitions for jail
gaol
/ (dʒeɪl) /
a place for the confinement of persons convicted and sentenced to imprisonment or of persons awaiting trial to whom bail is not granted
get out of jail or get out of jail free informal to get out of a difficult situation
(tr) to confine in prison
Origin of jail
1Derived forms of jail
- jailless or gaolless, adjective
- jail-like or gaol-like, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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