penitentiary

2 synonyms for penitentiary, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A state or federal prison, especially one for people convicted of serious crimes.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

pen

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

penitential

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

A state or federal prison, especially one for people convicted of serious crimes.

“He was sentenced to ten years in the state penitentiary.”

pen

2. adj

Relating to punishment of criminals or to prisons.

“The state overhauled its penitentiary system after years of overcrowding.”

penitential

Etymology

From Medieval Latin pēnitentiārius, "place of penitence" — the word was adopted by Quakers in colonial Pennsylvania to describe a place where offenders could reflect on their wrongdoing.

Full origin of penitentiary →

Frequently asked questions

What does “penitentiary” mean?

The word “penitentiary” means a state or federal prison, especially one for people convicted of serious crimes. In plain terms, a formal word for prison, usually one for serious offenders.

How do you pronounce “penitentiary”?

“Penitentiary” is pronounced peh-nih-TEHN-shuh-ree (/ˌpɛnɪˈtɛnʃəɹi/ in IPA).

How do you use “penitentiary” in a sentence?

Here is “penitentiary” used in a sentence: “He was sentenced to ten years in the state penitentiary.”

What part of speech is “penitentiary”?

Depending on how it is used, “penitentiary” can be a noun and an adjective.

Where does the word “penitentiary” come from?

The word “penitentiary” comes from Medieval Latin. From Medieval Latin pēnitentiārius, "place of penitence" — the word was adopted by Quakers in colonial Pennsylvania to describe a place where offenders could reflect on their wrongdoing.

Is “penitentiary” a common word?

“Penitentiary” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “penitentiary” have?

“Penitentiary” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a state or federal prison, especially one for people convicted of serious crimes.

Related words

penitence penitent penitential repent repentance repentant

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