jailhouse

[jeyl-hous]

noun

plural

jailhouses 

1. a jail or building used as a jail.

jailhouse

/ ˈdʒeɪlˌhaʊs /

noun

1. a jail; prison

Word History and Origins

Origin of jailhouse¹

An Americanism dating back to 1805–15; jail + house

Example Sentences

Four months later, detectives seemingly caught him confessing on a jailhouse recording that he and Dallas Pineda, 17, had brought the young women to the park and killed them.

From Los Angeles Times

But the "motion to suppress" reveals for the first time his version of what led to the alleged jailhouse confession.

From BBC

In a 2024 interview with The Times, the rapper declined to discuss any potential issues with the Mexican Mafia or “jailhouse politics.”

From Los Angeles Times

The longtime Orange County public defender changed local history in 2013 when he presented a judge with evidence that sheriff’s deputies had illegally used jailhouse snitches for decades.

From Los Angeles Times

He did things that would be illegal today, Clark said, like planting the jailhouse informant who won Graham’s love and helped doom her.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cell 
• lockup 
• penitentiary 
• prison