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

We are put in charge of making our own way, through tapestries and tea sets, past ancient jug and contemporary sphinx, without heavy-handed authoritative direction.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

Warren Hood, who has been equally at home with symphonic music and in jug bands, provides an often central and dominant fiddle.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 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

Karen became so worried about the water she would pack her own cutlery and water jug.

From BBC • Jan. 24, 2026

Also, there’s barely enough milk for both of us, so I mix some faucet water in the jug when Charlie’s not looking and shake it up real good.

From "Isaiah Dunn Is My Hero" by Kelly J. Baptist

Related Words

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