house of correction

noun phrase

: a penal institution for persons convicted of a minor offense and considered capable of reformation

Examples of house of correction in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Octavio Nares admitted to possession with intent to distribute cocaine in January 2019 and was sentenced to more than two years in the house of correction with 18 months to serve, prosecutors said. —Adam Sennott, BostonGlobe.com, 6 Apr. 2023

Columbo was sentenced on Dec. 20 to two years and six months in a house of correction. —Tonya Alanez, BostonGlobe.com, 6 Apr. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1576, in the meaning defined above

Legal Definition

house of correction

: an institution where persons who have committed minor offenses and who are considered capable of reformation are confined compare house of detention, jail, lockup, penitentiary, prison