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.

Jackson was arrested and later booked into jail on a $50,000 bond, according to jail records.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026

A "pardon after completion of sentence" would mean that Bankman-Fried's conviction on various counts of fraud would be forgiven after he serves his jail sentence.

From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026

He died in his jail cell the next month.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026

A Dutch court Friday handed jail terms to three men convicted of the brazen theft of a 2,500-year-old golden Romanian helmet that sparked outrage in Romania and the art world.

From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026

“You, Count Olaf, will go to jail, and the three children will live with me.”

From "The Bad Beginning" by Lemony Snicket

jail

Example Sentences

Related Words