jail

A place where people are kept because they are suspected of a crime or have been punished for one.

• He is in jail.
• She spent three months in jail for theft.
• The police took the suspect to the local jail.

How to use it: in jail (Her brother is still in jail.); go to jail (He could go to jail for stealing the money.)

Similar words: prison

Common phrases: in jail, go to jail, jail sentence, local jail

To put someone in prison.

• The judge jailed him.
• She was jailed for stealing public money.
• The authorities have jailed several protesters.

How to use it: jail someone for something (The court jailed him for fraud.); be jailed for a period (She was jailed for six months.)

Similar words: imprison, lock up

Opposites: release, free

Common phrases: jail someone, jail someone for something