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

Right now, Prime members can score exclusive savings and summer deals on YETI tumblers, coolers, jugs, backpacks and more when shopping on Amazon. — ABC News, 23 June 2026

Just last week, Kiki’s—a Greek spot known for its platters and $25 jugs of wine—was seized by the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, which says the restaurant’s LLC and one of its owners owe more than $1 million in taxes. — Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 23 June 2026

Verb

In 2022, authorities charged Carlos Rusi and three other Houston men with a bank jugging case in Burbank, California, according to FOX 26. — Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 10 Dec. 2025

Sure, jugging a mom-and-coach role isn’t always smooth. — Luca Evans, The Denver Post, 15 Mar. 2025

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