Definitions

jail

[jeyl] / dʒeɪl /

NOUN

place for incarceration

Synonyms

STRONGEST

cell lockup penitentiary prison

STRONG

bastille brig bullpen can clink cooler dungeon inside jailhouse joint pen pound rack reformatory slammer solitary stir stockade

WEAK

black hole detention camp house of correction penal institution up the river

VERB

incarcerate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

confine detain hold imprison lock up sentence take away

STRONG

bastille book cage can constrain immure impound prison railroad

WEAK

put away put behind bars put on ice send up throw away the keys throw in dungeon throw the book at

Antonyms

STRONGEST

free let go liberate release

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 local Hobart-Lawrence Police Department in Wisconsin said they attended a disturbance complaint on Saturday morning and on Tuesday the 28-year-old was taken to Brown County Jail.

From BBC • May 27, 2026

Jail records show Cloobeck, 64, was arrested before 11 a.m. and booked at the West Hollywood station on $300,000 bail, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department jail booking records.

From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2026

He walked out of the Orange County Jail in Goshen, New York, at 4:09 on Tuesday afternoon.

From Slate • Apr. 28, 2026

"Jail is hell if you do not have money to ease your way through and cater for your needs," he says.

From BBC • Apr. 22, 2026

Suffragists marched in defense of Alice Paul while she was being held at the District Jail.

From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling

jail

Example Sentences

Related Words