1. a federal or state prison for people convicted of serious crimes

1. relating to punishment or penance
Usage: formal

Examples

• The convicted felon was sentenced to ten years in the federal penitentiary.
• He served his time at the state penitentiary in maximum security.
• The old penitentiary was converted into a museum.
• Visitors must follow strict rules when entering the penitentiary.
• The penitentiary system focuses on rehabilitation as well as punishment.
• She wrote a book about life inside the penitentiary.