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 used in plural

penalty adjective

Synonyms

• damages
• fine
• forfeit
• forfeiture
• mulct

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

Instead, they would be fined a civil penalty of $1,000. —The Arizona Republic, 18 Apr. 2024

The resisting arrest charge carries the same penalty. —Carol Marbin Miller and, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2024

The office lacks the authority to impose financial penalties, so the terms of the settlement agreement are limited. —Danny Hakim, New York Times, 17 Apr. 2024

The Missouri House this week passed a bill that would create stiffer penalties for people who traffic fentanyl as overdoses and deaths ravage across the country. —Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2024

The Kings entered Monday with the NHL’s best home record since the All-Star break and the league’s top penalty kill at home. —Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2024

Here’s how the penalties shake out for marijuana possession: 2 ounces or less — Class B misdemeanor with a maximum fine of $2,000 and up to 180 days incarcerated. —Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Apr. 2024

The council has enacted new measures with stiffer penalties for gun crimes, while other provisions have backed off from some changes that had previously been enacted. —Peter Hermann, Washington Post, 15 Apr. 2024

Then, whatever penalty comes out of this process would be added to the other fines the company has faced in the past. —Lisa Song, ProPublica, 15 Apr. 2024

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

• 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