jailbreak

American  

[jeyl-breyk] / ˈdʒeɪlˌbreɪk /

noun

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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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

His problem: Once someone makes a successful jailbreak, all the other prisoners know a jailbreak is possible.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 11, 2025

Guatemala's government announced Tuesday that the United States would send an FBI team to help capture gang leaders whose jailbreak has triggered a security crisis in the Central American country.

From Barron's • Nov. 5, 2025

For example, we could say, “We’re going to make it legal to jailbreak things.”

From Slate • Oct. 13, 2025

Two weeks after Sobhraj's jailbreak, Mr Zende was summoned by his boss – "he remembered that I had caught the Bikini killer once" - and asked to hunt for him again.

From BBC • Sep. 25, 2025

Whenever we get a jailbreak, Paul, aka Thing Three, streaks around the gym with both arms up yelling “Blue Team! It’s what’s for breakfast!”

From "Liar & Spy" by Rebecca Stead