a building for the confinement of persons held while awaiting trial, persons sentenced after conviction, etc.

state prison.

any place of confinement or involuntary restraint.

imprisonment.

noun

bastille , can * , clink * , confinement , cooler * , dungeon , g , guardhouse , jail , keep , lockup , pen * , penal institution , penitentiary , reformatory , slammer * , statesville , stockade , up the rivernotes:a jail is a short-term detention facility for those awaiting trial or convicted of minor offenses; a prison or penitentiary is a long-term detention facility for those convicted of major offenses , brig , house of correction , bastille.--v. imprison , big house , bridewell , calaboose , can , cell , clink , cooler , custody , detention , gulag , hole , hoosegow , incarcerate , limbo , oubliette , pen , pokey , quod , slammer , stir , tank , workhouse