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

City went 2-1 ahead in the 80th minute after Erling Haaland scored from the penalty spot, only for Brahim Diaz and Jude Bellingham to then hit back for the Spanish side. —Dan Sheldon, The Athletic, 14 Feb. 2025

That would exceed the highest CBT penalty threshold, set at $301 million this season, for the second year in a row. —Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 14 Feb. 2025

Think twice about not reporting your transactions Failing to report your crypto transactions — including income, gains or losses — can lead to audits, penalties, interest on unpaid taxes and even criminal charges. —Mike Winters, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2025

MacKinnon registered the first hit of the game, drew the first penalty, took the first shot and scored the first goal, all in the opening 56 seconds of Canada’s thrilling 4-3 overtime win against Sweden to open the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off. —Corey Masisak, The Denver Post, 13 Feb. 2025

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