house of correction: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Historical, Formal, Archaic, Legal/Historical
Quick answer
What does “house of correction” mean?
A place, typically run by local authorities, for the confinement and punishment of petty offenders, vagrants, or those considered idle or disorderly.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A place, typically run by local authorities, for the confinement and punishment of petty offenders, vagrants, or those considered idle or disorderly; a prison or reformatory for minor crimes.
An institution for the detention and discipline of minor offenders, historically significant as a precursor to modern penal systems. It can also be used metaphorically to describe any place or situation of strict discipline and punishment.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is historically relevant to both UK and US contexts, stemming from English Poor Laws. In the UK, it is closely associated with the 16th-19th century system of parish-based poor relief and punishment. In the US, it refers to similar early colonial and state institutions, but the term 'workhouse' or 'reformatory' became more common.
Connotations
In both varieties, it carries strong historical and somewhat archaic connotations. It may evoke images of Dickensian-era social control.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in contemporary use. Slightly more likely to be encountered in British historical texts due to the longer, more documented history of the specific institution.
Grammar
How to Use “house of correction” in a Sentence
be sent to + [house of correction]be confined in + [house of correction]the + [adjective] + house of correction + of + [place]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “house of correction” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He was house-of-correctioned for his idleness. (archaic, non-standard)
American English
- The vagrant feared being house-of-correctioned. (archaic, non-standard)
adjective
British English
- The house-of-correction regime was notoriously harsh. (attributive use)
American English
- They studied house-of-correction records from the 18th century. (attributive use)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in historical, sociological, or legal studies discussing the evolution of penal systems, poverty law, and social control mechanisms.
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation. Might be used metaphorically or humorously (e.g., 'My gym feels like a house of correction').
Technical
A precise historical/legal term for a specific type of institution in law history and historical criminology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “house of correction”
Strong
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “house of correction”
- Using it to refer to a modern prison (anachronistic). Confusing it with 'correctional facility' (modern term). Misspelling as 'house of corrections' (plural is less common).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Historically, it was a type of prison, but specifically for petty offenders, vagrants, and the 'idle poor,' with an emphasis on reform through labour, unlike prisons for felons.
They were most prominent from the late 16th century, following the English Poor Laws, through the 18th and 19th centuries, declining with modern penal reforms.
No, it would be anachronistic. Modern terms are 'correctional facility,' 'jail,' or 'detention centre.' Using 'house of correction' today is either historical or metaphorical.
They often overlapped. Generally, a workhouse was primarily for the destitute poor willing to work, while a house of correction was for punishing the 'idle' and disorderly. In practice, many institutions served both functions.
A place, typically run by local authorities, for the confinement and punishment of petty offenders, vagrants, or those considered idle or disorderly.
House of correction is usually historical, formal, archaic, legal/historical in register.
House of correction: in British English it is pronounced /ˌhaʊs əv kəˈrek.ʃən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhaʊs əv kəˈrek.ʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Sent to the house of correction (used metaphorically for being subjected to strict discipline)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a HOUSE where you go for CORRECTION of your behaviour, not education. It's an old-fashioned place for punishing minor misdeeds.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIETY IS A PARENT; DEVIANT BEHAVIOUR IS A FLAW; PUNISHMENT IS CORRECTION. The state acts as a strict parent 'correcting' wayward individuals through institutional discipline.
Practice
Quiz
What is the most accurate modern equivalent of a 'house of correction' in terms of its historical function?