B2noun1K

UK/["/dʒeɪl/"]/US/["/dʒeɪl/"]/

Meaning of Jail

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

Jail in a sentence

  • 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.

How to use Jail

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.

Related words

Collocations with Jail

Synonyms for Jail

  • detention center
  • correctional facility
  • lockup
  • gaol

Opposites of Jail

Common mistakes with Jail

  • 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.

Jail appears in

Jail in other languages

More words like Jail

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Frequently asked questions about Jail

What does Jail mean?

A place where people are kept if they break the law.

What is the definition of Jail?

a prison

How do you use Jail in a sentence?

She spent a year in jail.

Can you give another example of Jail?

He has been released from jail.

What are synonyms for Jail?

Common alternatives include detention center, correctional facility, lockup, gaol.

What is the opposite of Jail?

Opposite meanings include freedom, liberation, release.

What words go with Jail?

It commonly pairs with city, county, local, go to, put somebody in, send somebody to, sentence, term, time, at a/​the jail, in (a/​the) jail.

What are common mistakes when using Jail?

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.

How do you pronounce Jail?

US: /["/dʒeɪl/"]/, UK: /["/dʒeɪl/"]/. Listen to the audio above to hear native pronunciation.

When should I use Jail?

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

What CEFR level is Jail?

"Jail" is at B2 level on the CEFR scale.