1. a tall military boot that reaches above the knee
2. harsh authoritarian rule or oppressive military control
Usage: figurative

Examples

• The soldier polished his black jackboots until they gleamed.
• Officers wore jackboots as part of their dress uniform.
• The riding instructor’s jackboots protected her legs while mounted.
• Citizens feared living under the jackboot of the military regime.
• The protesters accused the government of jackboot tactics.
• History shows the dangers of jackboot rule over free peoples.