penalty

noun pen·al·ty \ ˈpe-nᵊl-tē \

|Updated on: 23 Jun 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

The teams traded goals, penalties and turnovers for much of the final 20 minutes, until Kofman scored again off a free start with 2:58 left to give Longmeadow a 10-9 advantage.

— henry brechter, BostonGlobe.com, "Scales strikes, Walpole girls’ lacrosse soars into Division 1 final," 20 June 2018
He was assessed a two-stroke penalty and made a 10 on the hole, but his actions started a heated controversy in the golf world.

— daniel rapaport, SI.com, "Phil Mickelson Apologizes for Putting a Moving Ball at U.S. Open," 20 June 2018
Unpaid taxes accrue interest and penalties if not paid by Dec. 31.

— david anderson, The Aegis, "Harford County recoups more than $828,000 in annual tax lien sale," 19 June 2018
After consulting his video assistant, referee Enrique Caceres upgraded the free-kick into a penalty and Salah made no mistake.

— thomas allnutt, chicagotribune.com, "Salah disappoints as Egypt crushed by Russia," 19 June 2018
People who fail to register their drones could face stiff penalties and regulatory and criminal sanctions.

— suzanne baker, Naperville Sun, "Naperville Park District to open a drone flying park in October," 19 June 2018
According to compliance requirements, any PTSA that doesn’t follow the standard of affiliation rules could face fines and penalties.

— meryl kornfield, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Stoneman Douglas PTSA suspended during state audit," 18 June 2018
Privacy - Terms The board administers the State Restitution Fund, which generates most of its revenue from restitution, penalties and fees paid by criminal offenders, according to its website.

— kellen browning and molly sullivan, sacbee, "East Area Rapist victims could get state funds for emotional harm from recent arrest," 13 June 2018
By Drew Davison Martin is coming off one of his best seasons, too, being called for no penalties and giving up just one sack last season.

— drew davison, star-telegram, "It's official: Cowboys make Zack Martin highest-paid guard," 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