Meaning & use
penitentiary
Last updated
A prison, especially one for people convicted of serious crimes.
See it in a sentence
He was sentenced to ten years in a federal penitentiary.
The old penitentiary now operates as a museum open to tourists.
A note on using this word
'Penitentiary' is more formal than 'prison,' originally reflecting the idea that inmates would do penance and reform.
Words with a similar meaning
prisonjail
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