corporal punishment

noun

1. Law.,  physical punishment, as flogging, inflicted on the body of one convicted of a crime: formerly included the death penalty, sentencing to a term of years, etc.

2. physical punishment, as spanking, inflicted on a child by an adult in authority.

corporal punishment

noun

1. punishment of a physical nature, such as caning, flogging, or beating

Word History and Origins

Origin of corporal punishment¹

First recorded in 1575–85

Related Words

• spanking 
• whipping