OpenSynonym

jails

/dʒeɪlz/

NOUN

1. Places or institutions for holding people in legal custody

Places or institutions for the confinement of people held in lawful custody or detention, especially those awaiting trial or serving sentences.

1.1. Prisons and correctional facilities

Buildings or institutions where people are detained under legal authority.

Synonyms

  • bastilles
  • big houses
  • bridewells
  • brigs
  • bull pens
  • calabooses
  • cans
  • cells
  • clinks
  • coolers
  • coops
  • dungeons
  • glasshouses
  • guardhouses
  • guardrooms
  • gulags
  • hoosegows
  • hulks
  • jailhouses
  • joints
  • jugs
  • lockups
  • oubliettes
  • penitentiaries
  • pens
  • pokeys
  • prison camps
  • prisons
  • quods
  • reform schools
  • reformatories
  • slammers
  • stirs
  • stockades
  • tolbooths
  • work camps

Examples

  • The city jails were overcrowded due to increased crime rates.
  • The new legislation aims to reform the jails and improve conditions.

Related Words

VERB

2. To imprison or confine people

To put people in prison or otherwise confine them in a jail.

2.1. Arresting and taking people into custody

To apprehend people and place them under legal custody.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples

  • I hope the judge jails the criminals for their actions.
  • The authorities regularly jails individuals who violate the law.

Related Words

  • arrest
  • apprehension
  • police
  • law enforcement
  • suspect
  • custody
  • detention
  • incarceration

2.2. Imprisoning and restricting freedom

To confine people in prison or prevent them from moving freely.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples

  • The judge jails the offenders for their crimes.
  • The system jails the innocent along with the guilty.

Related Words