Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
calaboose
noun
/ˌkæl.əˈbuːs/
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Definition
A calaboose is a small jail or prison.
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Examples
- The suspect was locked up in the calaboose until his hearing.
- In old Western films, the calaboose was often where the town’s troublemakers ended up.
- After the brawl at the bar, the offenders were taken to the calaboose for the night.
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Meaning
It typically refers to a temporary or makeshift holding place for inmates, often used in a local context.
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Synonyms
- jail
- prison
- detention center
- lockup