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)

, jail·broke [jeyl, -brohk], jail·brok·en [jeyl, -broh-k, uh, n], jail·break·ing.

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. Compare root ¹( def 22a ).

verb (used without object)

, jail·broke [jeyl, -brohk], jail·brok·en [jeyl, -broh-k, uh, n], jail·break·ing.

1. Digital Technology. to engage in this practice: Compare root ¹( def 24 ).

   Manufacturers are trying to prevent jailbreaking.

jailbreak

/ ˈdʒeɪlˌbreɪk /

noun

1. Alsogaolbreak an escape from jail

Word History and Origins

Origin of jailbreak¹

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

Example Sentences

To activate inside pre-existing Roblox communities, brands have also partnered with established in-platform developers for collaborations such as NASCAR’s recent foray into the popular cops-and-robbers game Jailbreak.

From Digiday

NASCAR provided the intellectual property and visual assets, and the developer studio Badimo implemented them into its Roblox game, Jailbreak, and that was it — no need for an agency to get involved.

From Digiday

Badimo’s latest brand partnership involved the addition of a NASCAR vehicle to Jailbreak.

From Digiday

Lehman's script began after the jailbreak, focusing on the hero of the picture, an American who pursues Blake.

From The Daily Beast

There had been no question about his identity when his gang staged a jailbreak, killing the Allen County sheriff in the process.

From The Daily Beast

Last summer ISIS staged a successful jailbreak at the infamous Abu Ghraib prison, freeing many of its leaders.

From The Daily Beast

The accusations include several attacks on various prisons, including a 2011 jailbreak in which Morsi escaped.

From The Daily Beast

Even by dramatic jailbreak standards, this escape was particularly brazen.

From The Daily Beast