jailbreak

American  

[jeyl-breyk] / ˈdʒeɪlˌbreɪk /

noun

jailbreaks plural

1. an escape from prison, especially by forcible means.

2. Digital Technology.

   1. an instance of gaining access to the operating system of a smartphone, tablet, etc., especially one manufactured by Apple.

   2. a software program or piece of hardware used to accomplish this.

      You'll need a jailbreak to run unauthorized apps.

   3. an instance of circumventing restrictions on access to any computer system or digital content.

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verb (used with object)

jailbroke, jailbroken, jailbreaking

1. Digital Technology. to gain access to the operating system of (a smartphone, tablet, etc., especially an Apple device), usually in order to run modified or unauthorized software.

verb (used without object)

jailbroke, jailbroken, jailbreaking

1. Digital Technology. to engage in this practice.

   Manufacturers are trying to prevent jailbreaking.

jailbreak British  

/ ˈdʒeɪlˌbreɪk /

noun

1. Also: gaolbreak.  an escape from jail

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• jailbreaks
  plural

Etymology

Origin of jailbreak

An Americanism dating back to 1905–10; jail + break

Explanation

A jailbreak is a prison escape. Whenever someone who's incarcerated or locked up manages to get out illegally, that's a jailbreak. Prison security, from armed guards to razor wire, locks, and security cameras, means that jailbreaks don't happen often. These days it's more common to use this word to talk about computers or smartphones. When a hacker performs a jailbreak on one of these devices, she bypasses the manufacturer's restrictions so that even unauthorized software can be installed.

Example Sentences

The 2023 lineup also includes the 717-horsepower two-door Challenger and four-door Charger SRT Jailbreak models as well as the return of the Durango SRT Hellcat.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 18, 2022

They finally meet a hacker named Jailbreak, and, in the greatest twist in cinematic history, the hacker turns out to be a woman.

From The Verge • Jul. 28, 2017

Gene might not be much, but Jailbreak is actually a decently conceived character - perhaps because she’s not constrained to being an emoji.

From Washington Times • Jul. 27, 2017

Bump and Grind, however, is definitely not a nightclub: You can get DC Brau or Jailbreak beer as well as a flat white or cortado, but the shop closes at 9 p.m.

From Washington Post • Apr. 21, 2016

Deluxe editions of Thin Lizzy's albums Jailbreak, Johnny the Fox and Live and Dangerous are released on 31 January.

From The Guardian • Jan. 27, 2011