# jailhouse

/ˈdʒeɪɫˌhaʊs/ (US) · /dʒˈeɪlhaʊs/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/jailhouse
Updated: 2026-10-16

## Definition

a small local prison where the police keep people while they wait for trial or serve a short punishment.

For teachers: a building where authorities confine people awaiting trial or serving short sentences, essentially synonymous with jail.

## Examples

- The old jailhouse sits next to the town hall.
- The sheriff locks the suspect in the county jailhouse overnight until the morning hearing.
- The abandoned jailhouse, with its rusted bars and peeling paint, still reminds visitors of harsher punishments from a century ago.

## Synonyms

jail

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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.