jug
1 Americannoun
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a large container usually made of earthenware, metal, or glass, commonly having a handle, a narrow neck, and sometimes a cap or cork.
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the contents of such a container; jugful.
a jug of wine.
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Slang: Vulgar. jugs, a woman's breasts.
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Slang. bank.
Yeah, I drove him, but I didn't know he went in the jug to rob the place.
verb (used with object)
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to put into a jug.
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to stew (meat) in an earthenware jug.
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Slang. to put in jail; imprison.
noun
verb (used without object)
noun
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US equivalent: pitcher. a vessel for holding or pouring liquids, usually having a handle and a spout or lip
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such a vessel used as a kettle
an electric jug
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a large vessel with a narrow mouth
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Also called: jugful. the amount of liquid held by a jug
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informal a glass of alcoholic drink, esp beer
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a slang word for jail
verb
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to stew or boil (meat, esp hare) in an earthenware container
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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.
Vocabulary lists containing jug
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The teen behind the lawsuit told The Times he remembers one of his classmates getting sick after drinking from the same jug.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 30, 2026
The actor and host brings a gallon jug of water with him everywhere.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026
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
In 2025, the Starmer jug sold most, at 116, including 32 to his colleagues in parliament and further 84 online.
From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026
“Supper, sir? Cold beef and the best bread in the county? A jug of ale or some Rhenish wine?”
From "The Midwife's Apprentice" by Karen Cushman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
