jailer

noun

jail·​er ˈjā-lər How to pronounce jailer (audio)
variants or less commonly jailor
1
: a keeper of a jail
2
: one that restricts another's liberty as if by imprisonment

Examples of jailer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Those jailers, Rafael Moreno and Joel Garcia, remain listed as defendants alongside six other guards allegedly involved in the altercation. Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Apr. 2025 The medical examiner ruled his death a homicide, and two jailers face murder charges. Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Apr. 2025 His hunting license could also be suspended, although the charges don’t carry potential jail time for the one-time jailer. Alice Jones Webb, Outdoor Life, 2 Apr. 2025 The two men were first noticed missing at 12:35 a.m. Wednesday and ICE jailers connected their disappearance to a power outage that happened at about 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, authorities said. David K. Li, NBC news, 21 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for jailer

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of jailer was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Jailer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jailer. Accessed 4 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

jailer

noun
jail·​er
variants or jailor
: a keeper of a jail

Legal Definition

jailer

noun
jail·​er
: a keeper of a jail

More from Merriam-Webster on jailer

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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