# jailer

/ˈdʒeɪɫɝ/ (US) · /dʒˈeɪlɐ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/jailer
Updated: 2026-10-18

## Definition

a person whose job is to guard prisoners in a jail or prison. You see this word mostly in stories about prison life.

For teachers: a person employed to guard prisoners in a jail or prison, responsible for custody, security, and daily supervision.

## Examples

- The jailer locks the cell doors every night.
- The new jailer checks every cell twice during the night shift to make sure all prisoners are safe.
- The weary jailer, who had supervised the same corridor for twenty years, knew each prisoner's habits better than his own family.

## Synonyms

guard, Warder

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.