jailbreak

[ jeyl-breyk ]
See synonyms for jailbreak on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. an escape from prison, especially by forcible means.

  2. Digital Technology.

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

    • a software program or piece of hardware used to accomplish this: You'll need a jailbreak to run unauthorized apps.

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

verb (used with object),jail·broke [jeyl-brohk], /ˈdʒeɪlˌbroʊk/, jail·brok·en [jeyl-broh-kuhn], /ˈdʒeɪlˌbroʊ kən/, 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 root1 (def. 22a).

verb (used without object),jail·broke [jeyl-brohk], /ˈdʒeɪlˌbroʊk/, jail·brok·en [jeyl-broh-kuhn], /ˈdʒeɪlˌbroʊ kən/, jail·break·ing.
  1. Digital Technology. to engage in this practice: Manufacturers are trying to prevent jailbreaking.: Compare root1 (def. 24).

Origin of jailbreak

1
An Americanism dating back to 1905–10; jail + break

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for jailbreak

jailbreak

/ (ˈdʒeɪlˌbreɪk) /


noun
  1. Also: gaolbreak an escape from 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