Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

jug

1 American  
[juhg] / dʒʌg /

noun

  1. a large container usually made of earthenware, metal, or glass, commonly having a handle, a narrow neck, and sometimes a cap or cork.

  2. the contents of such a container; jugful.

    a jug of wine.

  3. Slang. jail; prison.

  4. Slang: Vulgar. jugs, a woman's breasts.

  5. Slang. bank.

    Yeah, I drove him, but I didn't know he went in the jug to rob the place.


verb (used with object)

jugged, jugging
  1. to put into a jug.

  2. to stew (meat) in an earthenware jug.

  3. Slang. to put in jail; imprison.

jug 2 American  
[juhg] / dʒʌg /

noun

  1. a sound made by a bird, especially a nightingale.


verb (used without object)

jugged, jugging
  1. to make such a sound.

jug British  
/ dʒʌɡ /

noun

  1. US equivalent: pitcher.  a vessel for holding or pouring liquids, usually having a handle and a spout or lip

  2. such a vessel used as a kettle

    an electric jug

  3. a large vessel with a narrow mouth

  4. Also called: jugful.  the amount of liquid held by a jug

  5. informal a glass of alcoholic drink, esp beer

  6. a slang word for jail

"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

verb

  1. to stew or boil (meat, esp hare) in an earthenware container

  2. slang (tr) to put in jail

"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

Etymology

Origin of jug1

First recorded in 1530–40; perhaps special use of Jug, diminutive or pet name of Joan, a woman's name

Origin of jug2

First recorded in 1515–25; imitative

Explanation

Many people buy their milk in a jug, a large container with a handle and a small opening at the top. A jug usually has a fairly small spout or mouth at the top; a gallon milk container is one kind of jug, usually made of plastic. Other jugs are made of clay or glass. In some countries, beer comes in a jug, and in others water is collected and carried in a jug. Earthenware jugs can actually be played as musical instruments, often in a jug band — the player blows across the opening and holds the jug at different angles.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing jug

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.

Any infraction – whether it be insubordination in class, tardiness or even something as minor as an untucked shirt that violated the dress code – earned offenders a detention-like punishment called JUG.

From Washington Times • Jul. 18, 2020

It seemed there was no escaping the watchful eye of the JUG masters.

From Washington Times • Jul. 18, 2020

JUG WATCH: The Gophers won the Little Brown Jug at the Big House last year and are looking to keep it two years in a row for the first time since 1962-63.

From Washington Times • Oct. 30, 2015

At length we called for a division, when there appeared— FOR THE JUG.

From Tales from "Blackwood," Volume 2 by Various

JUG HANDLE.—The performer places his hands across the chest, with the tips of the middle fingers touching and the elbows extending on each side like a jug handle.

From Games for the Playground, Home, School and Gymnasium by Bancroft, Jessie Hubbell

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "jug" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com