gaol Meaning, Definition & Usage

  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)
    slammer; pokey; jail; jailhouse; clink; poky.
  2. verb lock up or confine, in or as in a jail
    incarcerate; jug; remand; lag; immure; jail; put away; imprison; put behind bars.
    • The suspects were imprisoned without trial
    • the murderer was incarcerated for the rest of his life

WordNet

Gaol noun
Etymology
See Jail.
Definitions
  1. A place of confinement, especially for minor offenses or provisional imprisonment; a jail. Preferably, and in the United States usually, written jail.

Webster 1913