jug

¹ American  

[juhg] / dʒʌg /

noun

1. a large container usually made of earthenware, metal, or glass, commonly having a handle, a narrow neck, and sometimes a cap or cork.

2. the contents of such a container; jugful.

   a jug of wine.

3. Slang. jail; prison.

4. Slang: Vulgar. jugs, a woman's breasts.

5. Slang. bank.

   Yeah, I drove him, but I didn't know he went in the jug to rob the place.

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verb (used with object)

jugged, jugging

1. to put into a jug.

2. to stew (meat) in an earthenware jug.

3. Slang. to put in jail; imprison.

jug ² American  

[juhg] / dʒʌg /

noun

1. a sound made by a bird, especially a nightingale.

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verb (used without object)

jugged, jugging

1. to make such a sound.

jug British  

/ dʒʌɡ /

noun

1. US equivalent: pitcher.  a vessel for holding or pouring liquids, usually having a handle and a spout or lip

2. such a vessel used as a kettle

   an electric jug

3. a large vessel with a narrow mouth

4. Also called: jugful.  the amount of liquid held by a jug

5. informal a glass of alcoholic drink, esp beer

6. a slang word for jail

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verb

1. to stew or boil (meat, esp hare) in an earthenware container

2. slang (tr) to put in jail

Etymology

Origin of jug¹

First recorded in 1530–40; perhaps special use of Jug, diminutive or pet name of Joan, a woman's name

Origin of jug²

First recorded in 1515–25; imitative

Explanation

Many people buy their milk in a jug, a large container with a handle and a small opening at the top. A jug usually has a fairly small spout or mouth at the top; a gallon milk container is one kind of jug, usually made of plastic. Other jugs are made of clay or glass. In some countries, beer comes in a jug, and in others water is collected and carried in a jug. Earthenware jugs can actually be played as musical instruments, often in a jug band — the player blows across the opening and holds the jug at different angles.

Example Sentences

Each time a downpour begins, Scott strips down to the waist, grabs a large glass jug, and runs out to one of three drainpipes to collect enough water to last the week.

From Slate • Mar. 30, 2026

At age 16, he met Garcia, 21, in Palo Alto, Calif., and they formed a jug band, shifting to electric instruments following the rapid popularity of the Beatles in the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 11, 2026

It’s the equivalent of a tepid jug of punch and a bowl of question-mark dip proffered with genuine care.

From Salon • Dec. 2, 2025

Just buying a water filter can help to reduce exposure, she said - whether that is a jug with a filter in it, or a filter installed into the actual sink.

From BBC • Dec. 1, 2025

David says, “Exactly. Put a bag full of liquid ice cream mixture into the jug, go for a ride, and in a few minutes...”

From "A Place at the Table" by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan

Related Words

• beaker
• bottle
• bucket
• carafe
• decanter
• flask
• jar
• pot
• tub
• urn
• vase