penalty

noun

pen·​al·​ty ˈpe-nᵊl-tē 

plural penalties

1

: the suffering in person, rights, or property that is annexed by law or judicial decision to the commission of a crime or public offense

trespassing forbidden under penalty of imprisonment

2

: the suffering or the sum to be forfeited to which a person agrees to be subjected in case of nonfulfillment of stipulations

A penalty was imposed on the contractor for breach of contract.

3

a

: disadvantage, loss, or hardship due to some action

Loss of privacy is one of the penalties you pay for fame.

b

: a disadvantage (such as loss of yardage, time, or possession of the ball or an addition to or subtraction from the score) imposed on a team or competitor for violation of the rules of a sport

The team was given a penalty for the foul.

4

: points scored in bridge by the side that defeats the opposing contract

—usually plural

penalty adjective

Synonyms of penalty

• fine
• damages

Examples of penalty in a Sentence

The company was given a severe penalty for the violation.

They allowed him to pay back the money without a penalty.

They allowed him to pay back the money without penalty.

Lack of privacy is one of the penalties you pay for fame.

The hockey player was given a penalty for holding.

Recent Examples on the Web

One hundred and one days have passed since Paris Saint-Germain beat Arsenal on penalties to retain their Champions League crown, with only a World Cup and a record-breaking transfer window to keep us entertained since. — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Dash rookie Leah Klenke put the Pride ahead with an own goal in the 14th minute before conceding a penalty against Summer Yates 28 minutes later. — ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026

Northern Illinois, which had 14 yards in the first half, did not get its first first down until the third quarter, and that came on a pass-interference penalty against Iowa. — John Bohnenkamp, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026

The muffed punt, dropped by Oregon’s Evan Stewart, should have drawn a penalty on Boise State’s coverage team, as Jameson Perry came within inches of making contact with Stewart just before the ball arrived. — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 6 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English penalte, from Middle French penalité, from Medieval Latin poenalitas, from Latin poenalis

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing penalty

• death penalty
• face mask penalty
• major penalty
• minor penalty
• penalty box
• penalty kick
• penalty shot
• the death penalty

Kids Definition

penalty

noun

pen·​al·​ty ˈpen-ᵊl-tē 

plural penalties

1

: punishment for a crime or offense

2

: something forfeited when one fails to do what one has agreed to do

3

: disadvantage, loss, or hardship due to some action or condition

4

: a punishment or handicap given for breaking a rule in a sport or game

Legal Definition

penalty

noun

pen·​al·​ty ˈpen-ᵊl-tē 

plural penalties

1

: a punishment that is imposed on a wrongdoer by statute or judicial decision

2

: a pecuniary sum that by agreement is to be paid by a party who fails to fulfill an obligation to another and that is punitive rather than compensatory

the court declined to enforce the contractual penalty and determined actual damages instead