penalty

noun

pen·​al·​ty ˈpe-nᵊl-tē 

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

penalty adjective

Synonyms

• damages
• fine
• forfeit
• forfeiture
• mulct

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 on the Web

Also make note of any penalties for terminating early. —Laura Daily, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2024

When Richardson was asked why Black men bore the brunt of the penalty. —Rayna Reid Rayford, Essence, 5 Apr. 2024

Miami-Dade prosecutors were forced to retry Calloway’s death sentence after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Florida’s death penalty law in 2016, which only required a majority vote. —Charles Rabin, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2024

Rice could face a variety of penalties, including a suspension. —David Ammenheuser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Apr. 2024

The current maximum penalty assessment threshold of $300 per day would be increased to $53,000 per day – a 17,666% increase! —Bob Beauprez, The Denver Post, 4 Apr. 2024

Under the bill, unauthorized uses would be subject to stiff penalties and lawsuits would be able to be brought by any person or group whose exclusive rights were impacted. —Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Apr. 2024

Today is his deadline to pay a $454 billion penalty for his civil fraud trial. —Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 25 Mar. 2024

If there are any penalties on the kickoff, the kicker will be the only one who moves. —Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing penalty

• face mask penalty
• penalty shot
• penalty kick
• major penalty
• penalty box
• the death penalty
• minor penalty

Kids Definition

penalty

noun

pen·​al·​ty ˈpen-ᵊl-tē 

plural penalties

1

: punishment for a crime or offense

2

: something forfeited when one fails to do what one has agreed to do

3

: disadvantage, loss, or hardship due to some action or condition

4

: a punishment or handicap given for breaking a rule in a sport or game

Legal Definition

penalty

noun

pen·​al·​ty ˈpen-ᵊl-tē 

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

the court declined to enforce the contractual penalty and determined actual damages instead