jail, jailhouse, gaol, clink, slammer

a correctional institution used to detain persons who are in the lawful custody of the government (either accused persons awaiting trial or convicted persons serving a sentence)

• bastille — a jail (literally, a French jail)
• holding cell — a jail in a courthouse where accused persons can be confined during a trial
• hoosegow, hoosgow — a slang term for a jail
• house of correction — (formerly) a jail or other place of detention for persons convicted of minor offences
• lockup — jail in a local police station
• pokey — a slang term for jail
• workhouse — a county jail that holds prisoners for periods up to 18 months

• correctional institution — a penal institution maintained by the government