penalty

noun pen·al·ty \ ˈpe-nᵊl-tē \

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

But the penalty for consistency is that the overbred flowers created for that principal come out a little boring, and the special, seasonal blooms resist it entirely.

— aaron gilbreath, Longreads, "Reflections of an Accidental Florist," 28 Aug. 2017
Even on a forgettable night fraught with dropped passes and 14 penalties for 126 yards and other mental lapses by the Chiefs, the most troubling snapshot was the sight of Ware clutching his right knee before being carted off the field.

— vahe gregorian, kansascity, "Chiefs’ running back picture is murky after Spencer Ware’s injury," 25 Aug. 2017
U.S. legislation passed earlier this month imposed mandatory penalties on people involved in Iran’s ballistic missile program and anyone who does business with them.

— Washington Post, "Iran media report Apple shuts down Iranian apps," 25 Aug. 2017
The courts have a role in issuing a stern message that lengthy prison terms await serial drug dealers; state legislators have an obligation to assess appropriate penalties.

— Howard County Times, "Stronger actions to battle heroin [Editorial]," 23 Aug. 2017
The penalties for misbehavior in prison were stiff: One month with no phone.

— alex french, Esquire, "The Man Who Knows Aaron Hernandez's Secrets," 15 Aug. 2017
McHenry County State's Attorney Patrick Kenneally said a third DUI conviction could bring a penalty ranging from probation to a maximum of seven years in prison.

— amanda marrazzo, McHenry County, "Following DUI charge, suburban high school football coach sidelined for season," 7 Aug. 2017
The legislation would allow farmers to grow fruits and vegetables on an additional 5 percent of their acreage without a crop insurance penalty, provided the food is sold or donated in food deserts, according to Kelly's office.

— mike nolan, Daily Southtown, "Legislation aims to bring fresh produce to food deserts," 28 July 2017
At this point, the penalty is low enough that millions of people have decided to pay it instead of buying insurance.

— audrey dutton, idahostatesman, "Obamacare survives as the law of the land. Here’s how Congress can fix it.," 28 July 2017

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

See Words from the same year

penalty Synonyms

Synonyms

damages, forfeit, forfeiture, mulct, fine

Related Words

reparations; assessment, award, compensation; indemnity

Near Antonyms

amnesty, indemnity, pardon, parole; acquittal, exculpation, exoneration, vindication; exemption, immunity, impunity; release; commutation, reprieve; absolution, forgiveness, remission, remitment; condonation, disregard, overlooking

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