gaol
Translation
jail, prison
Examples
He was sent to gaol for his crimes.
He was sent to jail for his crimes.
The old gaol is now a museum.
The old jail is now a museum.
Grammar Patterns
((to be)) in jail to be imprisoned He was in jail for ten years.
((to be)) sent to jail to be imprisoned He was sent to jail for his crimes.
Similar Words
Synonyms: jail, prison, penitentiary
Etymology
From Old French 'gaiole' (cage), the same root as the more common American spelling 'jail'.
Memory Tips
This is a British spelling and is pronounced identically to 'jail'. You might see it in historical texts or place names.