Simple Definition of penitentiary

from our Learner's Dictionary

penitentiary

noun

ˌpɛnəˈtɛnʃəri How to pronounce penitentiary (audio)
plural penitentiaries
US : prison
—often used in the names of prisons
Colorado State Penitentiary

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“Penitentiary.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/penitentiary. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.

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