minor penalty

noun

: a 2-minute suspension of a player in ice hockey with no substitute allowed

Examples of minor penalty in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

As an example, the department said seeking even a minor penalty such as a $2,000 fine against a doctor under current law requires stronger evidence than what would be needed for a patient to pursue a multimillion-dollar medical malpractice judgment in civil court. —

Gregory Royal Pratt, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2026 The jailbreak rule states that if a team that’s killing a minor penalty scores a shorthanded goal, its player may leave the penalty box, and play reverts to 5-on-5. —

Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 18 May 2026 Rookie Danila Yurov scored his first career postseason goal on a deflection midway through the first period for the Wild during a four-minute power play prompted by a double minor penalty on defenseman Josh Manson. —

CBS News, 11 May 2026 The Golden Knights have taken 16 minor penalties and one double minor in the first four games. —

Eric Stephens, New York Times, 11 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for minor penalty

Word History

First Known Use

1925, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of minor penalty was in 1925

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

minor party

minor penalty

minor piece

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Minor penalty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/minor%20penalty. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.

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