noun
Uncommon
penitentiary
peh-nih-TEHN-shuh-ree
Penitentiary (noun) means a state or federal prison, especially one for people convicted of serious crimes. Example: “He was sentenced to ten years in the state penitentiary.”
noun
1
A state or federal prison, especially one for people convicted of serious crimes.
"He was sentenced to ten years in the state penitentiary."
"The penitentiary sits on the edge of town, ringed by high fences."
adj
1
Relating to punishment of criminals or to prisons.
"The state overhauled its penitentiary system after years of overcrowding."
How to use penitentiary
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA formal word for prison, usually one for serious offenders.
When to use it
More formal/official-sounding than "prison" or "jail" — common in legal and government contexts.
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Word forms
- Plural
- penitentiaries
Fill the gap
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He was sentenced to ten years in the state _____.
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.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for penitentiary
See all rhymes for 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.
