jailbreak

[ jeyl-breyk ]
/ ˈdʒeɪlˌbreɪk /

noun

an escape from prison, especially by forcible means.
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] /ˈdʒeɪlˌbroʊk/, jail·brok·en [jeyl-broh-kuh n] /ˈdʒeɪlˌbroʊ kən/, jail·break·ing.

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 root1(def 22a).

verb (used without object), jail·broke [jeyl-brohk] /ˈdʒeɪlˌbroʊk/, jail·brok·en [jeyl-broh-kuh n] /ˈdʒeɪlˌbroʊ kən/, jail·break·ing.

Digital Technology. to engage in this practice: Manufacturers are trying to prevent jailbreaking. Compare root1(def 24).

Origin of jailbreak

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

Example sentences from the Web for jailbreak

British Dictionary definitions for jailbreak

jailbreak
/ (ˈdʒeɪlˌbreɪk) /

noun

Also: gaolbreak an escape from jail