Penitentiary vs. Jail

A prison for those convicted of major crimes.

A place of detention, especially for persons who are accused of committing a crime and have not been released on bail or for persons who are serving short sentences after conviction of a misdemeanor.

A tribunal of the Roman Curia having jurisdiction in matters relating to penance, dispensations, and papal absolutions.

Detention in a jail.

A priest whose special function is the administration of the sacrament of penance in a particular church or diocese.

To detain in a jail.

Of or for the purpose of penance; penitential.

A place or institution for the confinement of persons held against their will in lawful custody or detention, especially (in US usage) a place where people are held for minor offenses or with reference to some future judicial proceeding.

Relating to or used for punishment or reform of criminals or wrongdoers.

(uncountable) Confinement in a jail.

Resulting in or punishable by imprisonment in a penitentiary

(horse racing) The condition created by the requirement that a horse claimed in a claiming race not be run at another track for some period of time (usually 30 days).

A state or federal prison for convicted felons; (broadly) a prison.

In dodgeball and related games, the area where players who have been struck by the ball are confined.

A priest in the Roman Catholic Church who administers the sacrament of penance.

A kind of sandbox for running a guest operating system instance.

(obsolete) One who prescribes the rules and measures of penance.

To imprison.

(obsolete) One who does penance.

A kind of prison; a building for the confinement of persons held in lawful custody, especially for minor offenses or with reference to some future judicial proceeding.

(obsolete) A small building in a monastery, or a part of a church, where penitents confessed.

To imprison.

(obsolete) An office of the papal court which examines cases of conscience, confession, absolution from vows, etc., and delivers decisions, dispensations, etc.; run by a cardinal called the Grand Penitentiary who is appointed by the pope.

a correctional institution used to detain persons who are in the lawful custody of the government (either accused persons awaiting trial or convicted persons serving a sentence)

(obsolete) An officer in some dioceses since 1215, vested with power from the bishop to absolve in cases reserved to him.

lock up or confine, in or as in a jail;

Of or relating to penance; penitential.

Of or relating to the punishment of criminals.

Relating to penance, or to the rules and measures of penance.

Expressive of penitence; as, a penitentiary letter.

Used for punishment, discipline, and reformation.

One who prescribes the rules and measures of penance.

One who does penance.

A small building in a monastery where penitents confessed.

That part of a church to which penitents were admitted.

An office of the papal court which examines cases of conscience, confession, absolution from vows, etc., and delivers decisions, dispensations, etc. Its chief is a cardinal, called the Grand Penitentiary, appointed by the pope.

A house of correction, in which offenders are confined for punishment, discipline, and reformation, and in which they are generally compelled to labor; a prison; a jail. Colloquially often shortened to pen.

a correctional institution for those convicted of major crimes

used for punishment or reform of criminals or wrongdoers;