jailer

Or jail·or

[jey-ler]

noun

1. a person who is in charge of a jail or section of a jail.

2. a person who forcibly confines another.

jailer

/ ˈdʒeɪlə /

noun

1. a person in charge of prisoners in a jail

Other Word Forms

• underjailer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of jailer¹

1250–1300; Middle English gaioler, jaioler, jailer < Old French jaiolier. See jail, -er ²

Example Sentences

Chief jailer George Webb checks a list of articles to be moved to temporary quarters on the city pier in Dec. 7, 1938.

From Los Angeles Times

And he suggested the department could reduce its jail staffing needs by releasing some people if jailers are not able to provide a constitutionally adequate level of care.

From Los Angeles Times

While concerns about staff-incited violence are commonplace among juvenile defense attorneys, Gunsberg said that officers are not punished because youths are rarely willing to speak out against their jailers.

From Los Angeles Times

Three other inmates then joined in, punching the jailer and stomping his head until he fell unconscious.

From Los Angeles Times

But a report filed by the Sheriff’s Department’s Internal Criminal Investigations Bureau portrayed a squad that accepted gang leaders wielded more authority over inmates than their jailers.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• prison guard www.thesaurus.com