French word

pénitentiaire

Pronunciation

IPA/penitɑ̃sjɛʁ/

Meaning

  • adjectivecorrectional

Example

Le centre pénitentiaire est fermé au public.

The correctional facility is closed to the public.

Illustration for pénitentiaire (correctional)

More examples

Le gardien pénitentiaire a accompagné les visiteurs.

The prison guard accompanied the visitors.

Core concept

The institutional world of prisons, including detention facilities and rehabilitation measures.

Common phrases

  • gardien pénitentiaire

    prison guard

  • personnel pénitentiaire

    prison staff

Similar words

carcéral: Relating to prisons or jails.
pénal: Relating to crime, punishment, or criminal law.

Definition in French

Qui se rapporte aux établissements où sont détenues des personnes condamnées et aux mesures de détention et de réinsertion.

Word origin

Pénitentiaire derives from Latin paenitentiarius through French, with an original connection to penitence that developed into a prison-related meaning.

Usage tips

  • Pénitentiaire usually modifies an institutional noun, as in établissement pénitentiaire, rather than serving as an everyday synonym for prison.

Other meanings

  • prisonadjective

Word lists with this word