1. a house of correction or prison, especially for minor offenders
Usage: historical; British

Examples

• The vagrant was sentenced to three months in the local bridewell.
• Historical records show the bridewell housed petty criminals and vagrants.
• The old bridewell building now serves as a museum.
• Magistrates often sent minor offenders to the bridewell rather than prison.
• The bridewell system was common in England during the 16th and 17th centuries.