How to pronounce word in English - English Word Dictionary- Learn English free online - English Learning Online

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

calaboose

cal·a·boose [ ˈka-lə-ˌbüs]

calaboose

noun

[ˈka-lə-ˌbüs]

Definition of calaboose

: jail
especially : a local jail

Synonyms & Antonyms for dainty

Synonyms: Synonyms

bastille,
big house
[slang],
bridewell,
brig,
can,
clink
[slang],
cooler,
coop,
guardroom,
hock,
hold,
hoosegow,
jail,
jailhouse,
joint
[slang],
jug,
lockup,
nick
[British slang],
pen,
penitentiary,
pokey
[slang],
prison,
quod
[British slang],
slam,
slammer,
stir
[slang],
stockade,
tolbooth
[Scottish]

Did You Know

Calaboose had been part of the English language for almost a century when John S. Farmer included the term in his 1889 book Americanisms - Old & New, defining it as "the common gaol or prison." Farmer also made mention of a verb calaboose, meaning "to imprison," but that term was apparently lost in the years between then and now. "Calaboose" is Spanish in origin; it's from the Spanish word calabozo, meaning "dungeon."

Recent Examples on the Web

//Brooks was escorted to the calaboose and thrown into the main holding tank with the other prisoners.
— Skip Hollandsworth, Esquire, "How Police Failed to Find America's First Serial Killer," 5 Apr. 2016
//All Chenneville had to do was ride up on his horse, remove the smoking gun or bloody knife from the killer's hand, and drag him to the calaboose—the local jail, which was just down the hall from the police department.
— Skip Hollandsworth, Esquire, "How Police Failed to Find America's First Serial Killer," 5 Apr. 2016

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'calaboose.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more