jailbreak

[jeyl-breyk]

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.

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

/ ˈdʒeɪlˌbreɪk /

noun

1. Also: gaolbreak. an escape from jail

Word History and Origins

Origin of jailbreak¹

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

Example Sentences

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.

Read more on Barron's

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.

Read more on BBC

Caught red-handed poisoning her abusive boyfriend, played by Alexander Skarsgård, Gaga embarks on a nine-minute, high-energy spectacle featuring a dramatic jailbreak, bold fashion, and more poisoning.

Read more on Salon

Footage from last week's jailbreak showed people fleeing from the building as smoke rose in the background.

Read more on BBC

“We’re not against the people, only the government. The jailbreak is part of our protest.”

Read more on BBC