jail
n. C / Un. a place where people are kept as a punishment for a crime. It is usually for people waiting for a trial or those who have committed smaller crimes.
n. a place of detention for persons awaiting trial or for those convicted of minor offences. Often used interchangeably with 'prison' in general contexts, though legally distinct in many jurisdictions.
The thief spent two nights in jail.
After the police caught the suspect, they took him to the local jail for questioning.
The reform bill aims to reduce the number of non-violent offenders held in county jail while they await their court dates.
From Middle English gayole, gaylle, gaille, gayle, gaile, from Old French gaiole, gayolle, gaole, from Medieval Latin gabiola, from Late Latin caveola (“small cage, cell”), a diminutive of Latin cavea (“cavity, coop, cage”). Doublet of caveola and related to cage. More at cajole. Fully displaced native Middle English quartern (“prison, jail, cell”), from Old English cweartern (“jail, prison”). Partially displaced native Middle English lok, from Old English loc (“enclosure, pen; jail, prison”), whence lock; and Middle English carcern, from Old English carcern, from Latin carcer (“prison, jail”). Compare these Old English words, all meaning “jail”: heaþor, heolstorloca (means also “jail cell”), clūstorloc, dung (also “dungeon”), hlinræced, nirwþ, nīedcleofa, hearmloca, and nearu.
Often used without an article in phrases like 'in jail' or 'go to jail' to refer to the state of being imprisoned.
He is in the jailHe is in jailWhen referring to the status of being a prisoner, the definite article is omitted; 'the jail' refers only to the specific physical building.
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get out of jail free card
A certain privilege or advantage that provides relief from an undesirable situation or immunity from punishment or consequences.
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movie jail
A state of derailment of a career or limited opportunities to which a film industry professional is seemingly relegated, usually as a result of making an unsuccessful film.