jug

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

Synonyms of jug

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

Examples of jug in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

And where many a five-star is let down by little plastic cartons of UHT milk in the in-room tea and coffee station, here fresh milk in a pretty jug is delivered to the room on request. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026

People who want something close to a real espresso machine, with a steam wand and milk jug, should look at Breville’s Creatista. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 1 June 2026

Players were driving home immediately after games without putting any money behind the bar or getting a jug in. —Paul Newman, New York Times, 26 May 2026

If a boater gets stranded, Barreto carries 5-gallon jugs of gas for emergency responses. —Steve Maugeri, CBS News, 24 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

perhaps from Jug, nickname for Joan

First Known Use

1538, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(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