B2noun1K

Jail

UK /["/dʒeɪl/"]/US /["/dʒeɪl/"]/

Definition

a prison

In simple words: A place where people are kept if they break the law.

Examples

She spent a year in jail.
He has been released from jail.
a ten-year jail sentence
Britain’s overcrowded jails
He's gone to jail for fraud.
His lawyer worked hard to keep him out of jail.
How long has she been in jail?
He avoided jail by pleading insanity.
She could be out of jail in two years.
He was held overnight at the county jail.

Usage notes

Used in both formal and informal contexts. Generally appropriate when discussing crime and punishment, but avoid in light-hearted conversations.

Grammar pattern

standalone noun

Memory hint

Think of a 'jailbird' trapped in a cage.

Collocations

city
county
local
go to
put somebody in
send somebody to
sentence
term
time
at a/the jail
in (a/the) jail

Synonyms

detention center
correctional facility
lockup
gaol

Antonyms

freedom
liberation
release

Common mistakes

Confused with 'prison'; jail is usually for short-term detainment.
Used incorrectly as a verb; 'to jail' is less common.
Mixing up terms like 'jail' and 'lockup'; while similar, they have different connotations.