Skip to definition.
Get the FREE one-click dictionary software for Windows.
NEW iPhone Audio English dictionary


Noun: gaol  jeyl
Usage: Brit (=jail)
  1. A correctional institution used to detain persons who are in the lawful custody of the government (either accused persons awaiting trial or convicted persons serving a sentence)
    - jail, jailhouse, clink, slammer, poky, pokey, prison, calaboose [Austral]
Verb: gaol  jeyl
Usage: Brit (=jail)
  1. Lock up or confine, in or as in a jail
    "The suspects were gaoled without trial"
    - imprison, incarcerate, lag, immure, put behind bars, jail, jug, put away, remand, prison [archaic]

Derived forms: gaoling, gaoled, gaols

See also: gaoler [Brit]

Type of: confine, correctional institution, detain

Encyclopedia: Gaol