jailer

or jail·or

[ jey-ler ]

/ ˈdʒeɪ lər /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR jailer ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a person who is in charge of a jail or section of a jail.

a person who forcibly confines another.

RELATED WORDS

guard, turnkey

Nearby words

jail delivery, jail fever, jailbait, jailbird, jailbreak, jailer, jailhouse, jailhouse lawyer, jain, jaina, jainism

Origin of jailer

1250–1300; Middle English gaioler, jaioler, jailer < Old French jaiolier. See jail, -er²

Related formsun·der·jail·er, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for jailer

“The jailer had a high-school-age daughter and was uncertain how to help her get in college,” writes Ferris.
The Tragic History of Southern Food|Jason Berry|November 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It was akin to a jailer wielding a set of keys before locking you in your cell.
Hugh Jackman's Tony Jumping Fail, Plus the Winners and Standout Moments of Broadway's Biggest Night|Tim Teeman|June 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Does the low profile assumed by the former head of Yukos mean that he entered into a secret agreement with his jailer?
The Mystery of Mikhail Khodorkovsky|Bernard-Henri Lévy|January 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He declined to give his name and insisted his jailer was treating him like his mother would.
Despite Pledge, Syrian Rebels Continue to Torture|Jamie Dettmer|August 15, 2012|DAILY BEAST

My jailer said I had to convert to Islam if I hoped to survive.
U.S. Must Show It Respects Quran and Its Importance to Afghans|Jere Van Dyk|February 28, 2012|DAILY BEAST
And with a kind smile he offered his hand to the jailer who stood at the door with a gloomy, sullen air.
Louisa Of Prussia and Her Times|Louise Muhlbach
Send this man who seems to have constituted himself my jailer out of earshot, and I will tell you even more.
The Vanished Messenger|E. Phillips Oppenheim
"Those great folks does things their own ways; oui-gia," remarked the jailer.
The Battle Of The Strong, Complete|Gilbert Parker
The jailer paused, and the diamond laughed in his dazzled eyes.
Zanoni|Edward Bulwer Lytton
But the jailer had raised his lantern, and the poor man could recognize his betrothed.
Within an Inch of His Life|Emile Gaboriau

British Dictionary definitions for jailer

jailer

jailor or gaoler

/ (ˈdʒeɪlə) /

noun

a person in charge of prisoners in a 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

Word Origin and History for jailer

jailer

also gaoler, late 14c., from Old North French gayolierre, Old French jaioleur, agent noun from jaole (see jail (n.)).