Jail
/ˈdʒeɪl/
Definitions
- (n.) A place for the confinement of people accused or convicted of crimes, typically for short-term detention.
The suspect was held in jail awaiting trial.
- (v.) To imprison or confine someone in jail.
The court decided to jail the defendant for contempt.
Forms
- jails
- jailed
- jailing
Related terms
See also
Commentary
Use 'jail' primarily to denote short-term detention facilities; for long-term incarceration, 'prison' or 'penitentiary' is more appropriate.
This glossary is for general informational and educational purposes only. Definitions are jurisdiction-agnostic but reflect terminology and concepts primarily drawn from English and American legal traditions. Nothing herein constitutes legal advice or creates a lawyer-client relationship. Users should consult qualified counsel for advice on specific matters or jurisdictions.