What is the meaning of penitentiary?

noun

  • A correctional institution for those convicted of major crimes.

adjective

  • Used for punishment or reform of criminals or wrongdoers.
    • usage: "penitentiary institutions"
  • Showing or constituting penance.
    • usage: "penitential tears"; "wrote a penitential letter apologizing for her hasty words"
WordNet 3.0 © 2006 by Princeton University
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APAWordNet. (2010). penitentiary. Retrieved September 21, 2026, from http://smartdefine.org/penitentiary/definitions/1180542
ChicagoWordNet. 2010. "penitentiary" http://smartdefine.org/penitentiary/definitions/1180542 (accessed September 21, 2026).
HarvardWordNet 2010, penitentiary, Smart Define, viewed 21 September, 2026, <http://smartdefine.org/penitentiary/definitions/1180542>.
MLAWordNet. "penitentiary" 23 October 2010. Web. 21 September 2026. <http://smartdefine.org/penitentiary/definitions/1180542>
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