How to Pronounce "penitentiary"
word
/ˌpɛnɪˈtɛntʃɝi/
pe-ni-TEN-chuh-ree
/pˌɛnɪtˈɛnʃjəɹi/
pe-ni-TEN-shuh-ree
Definition
A penitentiary is a large, secure prison where people are kept as punishment for serious crimes. The word is formal and often found in legal or official contexts.
IPA Transcription
American English
/ˌpɛnɪˈtɛntʃɝi/
British English
/pˌɛnɪtˈɛnʃjəɹi/
Simplified Pronunciation
US
pe-ni-TEN-chuh-ree
UK
pe-ni-TEN-shuh-ree
Listen in Context
The judge sent him to the penitentiary for ten years.
There is a large penitentiary outside the city.
His brother works as a guard at the penitentiary.
After years in the penitentiary, he was finally released on parole.