lockup
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
A jail cell; a period of incarceration in such a cell; a facility containing such cells.
Register: slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
He's in lockup for 30 days for drunk and disorderly.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “lockup” mean?
A jail cell; a period of incarceration in such a cell; a facility containing such cells.
Is “lockup” formal or informal?
lockup is generally slang.