penalty box

noun

: an area alongside an ice hockey rink to which penalized players are confined for the duration of their penalty

Examples of penalty box 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.
The stock will be put in a penalty box for multiple quarters as management works to rebuild investor confidence. Jeff Marks, CNBC, 6 Aug. 2026 This time, Le Genie sat in the penalty box for two days before passing a third inspection on Friday. David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 4 Aug. 2026 Spain had a chance to end it int he 98th minute with a free kick just outside the penalty box, but Martínez saved that one as well. Tom Tapp, Deadline, 19 July 2026 England had seven touches in Argentina’s penalty box in the entire game. David Hickey, NBC news, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for penalty box

Word History

First Known Use

1907, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of penalty box was in 1907

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Penalty box.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/penalty%20box. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster