gaol

Definitions of gaol
  1. noun
    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)
    synonyms: clink, jail, jailhouse, pokey, poky, slammer
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    types:
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    bastille
    a jail or prison (especially one that is run in a tyrannical manner)
    holding cell
    a jail in a courthouse where accused persons can be confined during a trial
    hoosegow, hoosgow
    slang for a jail
    house of correction
    (formerly) a jail or other place of detention for persons convicted of minor offences
    lockup
    jail in a local police station
    workhouse
    a county jail that holds prisoners for periods up to 18 months
    type of:
    correctional institution
    a penal institution maintained by the government
  2. verb
    lock up or confine, in or as in a jail
    synonyms: immure, imprison, incarcerate, jail, jug, lag, put away, put behind bars, remand
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    type of:
    confine, detain
    deprive of freedom; take into confinement
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