penalty

noun pen·al·ty \ ˈpe-nᵊl-tē \

|Updated on: 18 Aug 2018

Definition of penalty

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

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penalty

adjective

See penalty defined for English-language learners

See penalty defined for kids

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 of penalty from the Web

Maryland’s comptroller on Wednesday published a list of 20 individuals and 25 businesses who owe the most in unpaid taxes, penalties and interest — a combined $12.7 million.

— gal tziperman lotan, baltimoresun.com, "Maryland's 'top tax evaders' owe $12.7 million, comptroller says; defense attorney Warren Brown makes list," 11 July 2018
The utility, however, could not use the money to pay any government fines or penalties arising from the fires.

— david r. baker, SFChronicle.com, "PG&E customers would pay some Wine Country fire costs under bond proposal," 9 July 2018
Francis was arrested in June last year and now owes the IRS $387,103.07 after interest and penalties were added.

— ruth bruno, courant.com, "Former Hartford Police Officer Sentenced On Tax Fraud Charges," 6 July 2018
Delaware and Colorado are the toughest states on speeding and reckless driving, charging hefty fines and penalties, according to a new report from WalletHub that analyzed data from all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

— Fortune, "Speeding in These States Will Cost You a Fortune," 6 July 2018
That means that the IRS is notifying the State Department about taxpayers who owe more than $51,000 in back taxes, penalties, and interest.

— megan friedman, Town & Country, "Thousands of Americans May Be Blocked From Getting Passports If They Owe Taxes," 6 July 2018
Avenatti’s former firm, Eagan Avenatti LLP, had agreed in January to pay about $2.4 million in back taxes and penalties as part of a resolution of a bankruptcy case involving the firm.

— mike james, USA TODAY, "Stormy Daniels' lawyer says he might run for president," 4 July 2018
The agreement allows Washington to impose an additional $400 million fine or other penalties if ZTE violates the deal.

— joe mcdonald, chicagotribune.com, "China hikes tariffs on U.S. soybeans, electric cars, fish," 15 June 2018
The Orange County Superior Court jurors made the recommendation after the penalty phase hearing for Andrew Urdiales, 54.

— Fox News, "Jury recommends death in murders of 5 California women," 13 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'penalty.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of penalty

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

penalty Synonyms

PENALTY Defined for English Language Learners

penalty

noun

Definition of penalty for English Language Learners

: punishment for breaking a rule or law
: a disadvantage or difficulty you experience
: a punishment or disadvantage given to a team or player for breaking a rule in a game

PENALTY Defined for Kids

penalty

noun pen·al·ty \ ˈpe-nᵊl-tē \

Definition of penalty for Students

plural penalties

1 : punishment for doing something wrong

2 : a disadvantage given for breaking a rule in a sport or game

Word Root of penalty

The Latin word poena, meaning “punishment,” gives us the root pen or pun. Words from the Latin poena have something to do with punishments. A penalty is a punishment for doing something wrong. Anything penal, such as a group of laws, explains punishments for specific crimes. Punish and punishment also come from poena.

Law Dictionary

penalty

noun pen·al·ty \ ˈpen-ᵊl-tē \

legal Definition of penalty

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