jail

1 of 2

noun

ˈjāl How to pronounce jail (audio)
Synonyms of jailnext
1
: a place of confinement for persons held in lawful custody
specifically : such a place under the jurisdiction of a local government (such as a county) for the confinement of persons awaiting trial or those convicted of minor crimes compare prison
2
: confinement in a jail
sentenced to jail

jail

2 of 2

verb

jailed; jailing; jails

transitive verb

: to confine in or as if in a jail

Synonyms of jail

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Noun

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of jail in a Sentence

Noun He was locked up in the county jail. He was arrested and sent to jail. He went to jail for his crimes. He just got out of jail a few weeks ago. He was kept in jail overnight. Verb threatened to jail the punks if they so much as jaywalked
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The county voted to remove BSO Fire Rescue from the sheriff and is considering taking back security for the airport and seaport, the jail and 911 center. — Norgan Rynor, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2026 In May, Spears pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol, and avoided jail time. — Jem Aswad, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
Verb
Waters remains jailed at the Pretrial Detention Center, and Kelly is under house arrest. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026 Americans in the nation's early days could be jailed for failing to repay debts — and some argue that debtors' prisons persist. — Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for jail

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English jaiole, from Anglo-French gaiole, jaiole, from Late Latin caveola, diminutive of Latin cavea cage — more at cage

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1600, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of jail was in the 13th century

Phrases Containing jail

Rhymes for jail

See All Rhymes for jail

Browse Nearby Words

jai alai
jail
jailbait
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Jail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jail. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

jail

noun
ˈjā(ə)l
: prison
jail verb

Legal Definition

jail

noun
ˈjāl How to pronounce jail (audio)
: a place of confinement for persons held in lawful custody
specifically : such a place under the jurisdiction of a local government (as a county) for the confinement of persons awaiting trial or those convicted of minor crimes compare house of correction, house of detention, lockup, penitentiary, prison
jail transitive verb
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