DictionaryAI

gaol

JAYL/d͡ʒeɪ(ə)l/

Pluralgaols

Verbgaols, gaoling, gaoled

US spellingjail

3 meanings of gaol

Practice

  1. 1
    prisonnouncountable
    A place where people are kept locked up by law, for example after a crime or before a trial.

    The prisoners were walked from the court to the gaol next door.

    Visitors can walk through the cells of the old town gaol.

    UsageSay it like jail. In Britain most people now write jail.

    Similarprison

  2. 2
    prisonnoununcountable
    Being kept locked up in prison.

    If she does not pay the fine, she could face gaol.

    He was more afraid of gaol than of losing his job.

    UsageSay sent to gaol or face gaol, with no 'the'.

    Similarprison, imprisonment, custody

    Oppositefreedom, liberty

  3. 3
    put in prisonverbtransitive
    To put someone in prison.

    The judge decided to gaol the man for three years.

    She was gaoled for stealing money from her employer.

    UsageOften said as gaoled for something. Most news reports now write jailed.

    Similarimprison, incarcerate, detain

    Oppositefree, release

Used only in American English, spelled jail: a claimed racehorse's ban from other tracks; the out area in dodgeball; a sandbox for a guest operating system.

Practice

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Origin

It comes through Old French from the Latin word cavea, meaning a cage or coop.

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 2 facts