jug
1 Americannoun
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a large container usually made of earthenware, metal, or glass, commonly having a handle, a narrow neck, and sometimes a cap or cork.
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the contents of such a container; jugful.
a jug of wine.
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Slang: Vulgar. jugs, a woman's breasts.
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Slang. bank.
Yeah, I drove him, but I didn't know he went in the jug to rob the place.
verb (used with object)
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to put into a jug.
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to stew (meat) in an earthenware jug.
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Slang. to put in jail; imprison.
noun
verb (used without object)
noun
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US equivalent: pitcher. a vessel for holding or pouring liquids, usually having a handle and a spout or lip
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such a vessel used as a kettle
an electric jug
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a large vessel with a narrow mouth
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Also called: jugful. the amount of liquid held by a jug
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informal a glass of alcoholic drink, esp beer
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a slang word for jail
verb
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to stew or boil (meat, esp hare) in an earthenware container
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slang (tr) to put in jail
Etymology
Origin of jug1
First recorded in 1530–40; perhaps special use of Jug, diminutive or pet name of Joan, a woman's name
Origin of jug2
First recorded in 1515–25; imitative
Explanation
Many people buy their milk in a jug, a large container with a handle and a small opening at the top. A jug usually has a fairly small spout or mouth at the top; a gallon milk container is one kind of jug, usually made of plastic. Other jugs are made of clay or glass. In some countries, beer comes in a jug, and in others water is collected and carried in a jug. Earthenware jugs can actually be played as musical instruments, often in a jug band — the player blows across the opening and holds the jug at different angles.
Vocabulary lists containing jug
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Each time a downpour begins, Scott strips down to the waist, grabs a large glass jug, and runs out to one of three drainpipes to collect enough water to last the week.
From Slate • Mar. 30, 2026
The leggings are made of an advanced polymer — a distant cousin to a plastic milk jug — with fibers that are incredibly strong and durable.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 15, 2026
At age 16, he met Garcia, 21, in Palo Alto, Calif., and they formed a jug band, shifting to electric instruments following the rapid popularity of the Beatles in the U.S.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 11, 2026
It’s the equivalent of a tepid jug of punch and a bowl of question-mark dip proffered with genuine care.
From Salon • Dec. 2, 2025
I pushed it to the rear of the cabinet, behind a jug of maple syrup.
From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
