punishment

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noun pun·ish·ment \ˈpə-nish-mənt\

Definition of punishment

1 : the act of punishing
2a : suffering, pain, or loss that serves as retributionb : a penalty inflicted on an offender through judicial procedure
3 : severe, rough, or disastrous treatment

See punishment defined for English-language learners

See punishment defined for kids

Examples of punishment in a Sentence

I took away my daughter's car keys as a punishment for her bad behavior.
The punishments that the government has inflicted on the protesters are severe and unjust.
The punishment for murder is life imprisonment.
Some religions teach that wicked people will suffer eternal punishment in hell after they die.

Recent Examples of punishment from the Web

Without a panel to rule speedily on disputes, and protection against trade remedies, NAFTA’s smaller members will be more vulnerable to the punishment that the United States metes out to other trading partners (see chart).

— The Economist, "The outlines of NAFTA 2 emerge," 20 July 2017
The more immediate matter is whether to impose new sanctions on Russia as punishment.

— abby livingston, star-telegram, "Texas Republican congressman says Trump should kick kids out of White House," 13 July 2017
But even when violations are reported, punishments can be mild.

— peter whoriskey, chicagotribune.com, "Amish farmers square off against Big Organic in milk battle," 7 July 2017
Koro’s trainers used a mix of rewards (family visits) and brutal punishments (starvation, solitary confinement and beatings) to encourage compliance.

— emily feldman, MSNBC Newsweek, "Can ISIS's Indoctrinated Kids be Saved From a Future of Violent Jihad?," 6 July 2017
Despite his opposition to capital punishment, McAuliffe has allowed two executions to go forward.

— the washington post, AL.com, "Virginia executes William Morva by lethal injection for 2006 murders," 6 July 2017
Because defunding Planned Parenthood, enforcing hundreds of anti-abortion restrictions across the country in recent years, and enduring increasing harassment at clinics isn’t punishment enough.

— michael sebastian, Cosmopolitan, "30 Times Donald Trump Has Been Completely Insulting to Women," 29 June 2017
Darker than Commander Putnam’s punishment in the operating room? 2a.

— peggy truong, Cosmopolitan, "Everything You Need to Know About The Handmaid’s Tale Season 2," 22 June 2017
But Kinner appealed her punishment, claiming the judge did not adequately consider her childhood and Young's abusive nature.

— keith bierygolick, Cincinnati.com, "Grief personified in glare from Marine's brother," 22 June 2017

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

First Known Use of punishment

15th century

PUNISHMENT Defined for English Language Learners

punishment

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noun

Definition of punishment for English Language Learners

: the act of punishing someone or a way of punishing someone
: the state of being punished
: rough physical treatment

PUNISHMENT Defined for Kids

punishment

play

noun pun·ish·ment \ˈpə-nish-mənt\

Definition of punishment for Students

1 : the act of making a wrongdoer suffer : the state of being made to suffer for wrongdoing
2 : the penalty for a wrong or crime

Word Root of punishment

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

punishment

noun pun·ish·ment

Legal Definition of punishment

1 : the act of punishing
2 : a penalty (as a fine or imprisonment) inflicted on an offender through the judicial and especially criminal process — see also cruel and unusual punishment