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Jail Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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jail

[dʒeɪl ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

place

A place where criminals are held as a punishment for their crimes. Jails are usually run by the government and inmates are kept in cells.

Synonyms

lockup, penitentiary, prison.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
jail

Jail is typically used to refer to a place where people are held while they are awaiting trial or serving short sentences. It is usually managed by local authorities.

  • He was taken to jail for the night after the arrest
  • The suspect is currently in jail awaiting his trial

Examples of usage

  • John was sent to jail for stealing a car.
  • She visited her brother in jail.
  • The jail was overcrowded with prisoners.
  • The jailbreak was carefully planned by the inmates.
  • The new jail facilities were designed to be more secure.
Context #2 | Verb

action

To imprison someone in a jail as a punishment for a crime they have committed.

Synonyms

detain, imprison, incarcerate.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
jail

Used in everyday conversation to refer to a place where people are held while they await trial or serve short sentences.

  • He was sentenced to six months in jail.
  • She spent a night in jail for drunken behavior.
imprison

Often used in formal contexts to describe the action of confining someone in prison for a longer period as punishment after being found guilty of a crime.

  • He was imprisoned for ten years for his crimes.
  • The activist was imprisoned for her protests.
incarcerate

Used in formal and legal contexts, often implying a longer term of confinement in a correctional facility.

  • The government seeks to incarcerate those involved in the scandal.
  • Many non-violent offenders are incarcerated due to strict laws.
detain

Typically used in a legal or formal context to describe the act of keeping someone in custody without necessarily implying punishment.

  • The police will detain you for questioning.
  • They were detained at the airport for hours.

Examples of usage

  • The judge decided to jail the criminal for 10 years.
  • If you commit the crime, you will be jailed.
  • He was jailed for his involvement in the robbery.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

History

  • The earliest prisons, dating back to ancient Egypt, were often used to detain debtors or political adversaries.
  • In medieval Europe, jails were often kept in castle dungeons, where conditions were harsh and unsanitary.

Cultural Representations

  • Jails are often depicted in films and literature, symbolizing punishment and redemption, such as in stories like 'Les Misérables'.
  • Famous songs, like Johnny Cash's 'Folsom Prison Blues', portray poignant experiences and feelings of confinement.

Psychology

  • Research shows that incarceration can have lasting psychological effects, including trauma and difficulty reintegrating into society.
  • Programs designed within jails to promote education and rehabilitation aim to reduce recidivism and aid mental health.

Modern Developments

  • In many countries, the move towards rehabilitation over punishment is changing how jails operate, focusing on reducing crime rather than just containment.
  • Technology, like electronic monitoring systems, is being introduced as alternatives to traditional incarceration.

Origin of 'jail'

Main points about word origin

  • The word originates from the Old French 'jaiole', meaning 'cage', reflecting the idea of confinement.
  • In Latin, the word 'cavea' referred to a cage or an enclosure, which is related to the concept of a jail.

The word 'jail' originated from the Old French word 'jaiole', which means 'a cage'. The concept of jails dates back to ancient times, with various forms of detention facilities used throughout history. In modern times, jails are used as a form of punishment and rehabilitation for criminals.

See also: jailer.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,969, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.