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 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

Two common types of plastic — polyethylene and polypropylene, used widely to make food containers, packaging, milk jugs and bottle caps — produced the most hydroxyl radicals detected by the researchers. — Michael Hawthorne, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026

Before my arrival, the Belâawane’s caravan comprised 200 goats, two dogs to help herd the goats, two chickens for eggs, and three donkeys to transport the chickens, tea kettles, jugs for water, blankets, and other food and camp supplies. — Jen Murphy, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Oct. 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

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

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