jailhouse

noun

jail·​house ˈjāl-ˌhau̇s 

: jail sense 1

Synonyms

• bastille
• big house [slang]
• bridewell
• brig
• calaboose
• can
• clink [slang]
• cooler
• coop
• guardroom
• hock
• hold
• hoosegow
• jail
• joint [slang]
• jug
• lockup
• nick [British slang]
• pen
• penitentiary
• pokey [slang]
• prison
• quod [British slang]
• slam
• slammer
• stir [slang]
• stockade
• tolbooth [Scottish]

Examples of jailhouse in a Sentence

received a tip from an informant inside the county jailhouse

Recent Examples on the Web

In a teaser clip, Manson can be heard confessing to additional crimes while on a jailhouse phone call. —Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 5 Apr. 2025

Informant Reform In Kansas, lawmakers have turned their attention to the use of jailhouse informants—another common factor in wrongful convictions. —Michelle Mbekeani, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025

While in custody, Yusuf was recorded in jailhouse calls instructing his brother and an associate to erase data from his phone to obstruct the investigation, prosecutors said. —Rosalio Ahumada, Sacramento Bee, 22 Mar. 2025

Colby also frequently discusses his mother’s case on his YouTube channel, including sharing his reaction to his testimony and their jailhouse phone call. —Jordana Comiter, People.com, 8 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1812, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing jailhouse

• jailhouse lawyer

Rhymes for jailhouse

• alehouse
• almshouse
• backhouse
• baghouse
• bakehouse
• bathhouse
• bauhaus
• blockhouse
• boathouse
• brewhouse
• bunkhouse
• clubhouse

Legal Definition

jailhouse

noun

jail·​house ˈjāl-ˌhau̇s 

: jail