jug

1 of 2

noun

ˈjəg 

plural jugs

1

a(1)

: a large deep container (as of glass, earthenware, or plastic) with a narrow mouth and a handle

(2)

: the contents of such a container : jugful

b

chiefly British : a small pitcher

2

: jail, prison

3

informal + impolite : breast

—usually used in plural

jug

2 of 2

verb

jugged; jugging

transitive verb

1

: to stew (something, such as a hare) in an earthenware vessel

2

: jail, imprison

Synonyms of jug

Noun

• pitcher
• bottle
• cup
• flagon
• flask
• ewer

Verb

• jail
• intern
• imprison

Examples of jug in a Sentence

Noun

some no-good fellow who had spent most of his life in and out of the county jug

put a jug of milk on the table

Verb

the luckless crooks got jugged before they knew what hit them

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

It's applied like a traditional weed spray and is usually sold in large jugs. — Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 24 June 2026

Every morning, guests open up their cabin screen doors to the crisp mountain air and a jug of coffee (or tea, if preferred) with fresh milk (with non-dairy options). — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 June 2026

Verb

Bank jugging occurs when suspects watch ATMs and banks and then follow people who withdraw cash to other places and then try to rob them. — Gabrielle Chenault, The Tennessean, 13 May 2024

No More Deaths published a report that documented the frequent destruction of the water jugs the group leaves throughout the southern desert for passing migrants. — John Moore/getty Images, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 June 2019

Word History

Etymology

Noun

perhaps from Jug, nickname for Joan

First Known Use

Noun

1538, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Verb

1747, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing jug

• jug band
• jug-eared
• jug wine
• measuring jug
• Toby jug

Rhymes for jug

• chug
• doug
• drug
• dug
• hug
• lug
• mug
• plug
• pug
• rug
• rugg
• shrug

Kids Definition

jug

1 of 2 noun

ˈjəg 

1

a

: a large deep container with a narrow mouth and a handle

b

: the amount held by a jug

2

: prison sense 2, jail

jug

2 of 2 verb

jugged; jugging

: imprison