jailbreak

[ jeyl-breyk ]

noun

1. an escape from prison, especially by forcible means.
2. Digital Technology.
   1. an instance of gaining access to the operating system of a smartphone, tablet, etc., especially one manufactured by Apple.
   2. a software program or piece of hardware used to accomplish this:

      You'll need a jailbreak to run unauthorized apps.

   3. an instance of circumventing restrictions on access to any computer system or digital content.

verb (used with object)

, jail·broke [jeyl, -brohk], jail·brok·en [jeyl, -broh-k, uh, n], jail·break·ing.

1. Digital Technology. to gain access to the operating system of (a smartphone, tablet, etc., especially an Apple device), usually in order to run modified or unauthorized software. Compare root ¹( def 22a ).

verb (used without object)

, jail·broke [jeyl, -brohk], jail·brok·en [jeyl, -broh-k, uh, n], jail·break·ing.

1. Digital Technology. to engage in this practice: Compare root ¹( def 24 ).

   Manufacturers are trying to prevent jailbreaking.

jailbreak

/ ˈdʒeɪlˌbreɪk /

noun

1. Alsogaolbreak an escape from jail

Word History and Origins

Origin of jailbreak¹

An Americanism dating back to 1905–10; jail + break

Example Sentences

“We’re not against the people, only the government. The jailbreak is part of our protest.”

From BBC

The jail, which was built in the 1950s, has a capacity for 1,500 inmates, but before this month's attempted jailbreak it was holding at least 12,000 people, according to various estimates.

From BBC

A manhunt is underway for a convict whose brazen and deadly jailbreak shocked the country.

From New York Times

“It’s an arms race, and it seems that whenever somebody comes up with a guardrail, someone else figures out how to jailbreak,” Mr. Etzioni said.

From New York Times

Peru’s last dictator, Alberto Fujimori, has pulled off a jailbreak years in the making — not by tunneling his way out of prison but by the graces of the country’s highest court.

From Los Angeles Times