penal

[peen-l]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or involving punishment, as for crimes or offenses.

2. prescribing punishment.

   penal laws.

3. constituting punishment.

   He survived the years of penal hardship.

4. used as a place of confinement and punishment.

   a penal colony.

5. subject to or incurring punishment.

   a penal offense.

6. payable or forfeitable as a penalty.

   a penal sum.

penal

/ ˈpiːnəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, constituting, or prescribing punishment

2. payable as a penalty

   a penal sum

3. used or designated as a place of punishment

   a penal institution

Other Word Forms

• penality noun
• penally adverb
• nonpenal adjective
• unpenal adjective
• unpenally adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of penal¹

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin poenālis, equivalent to poen ( a ) penalty (< Greek poinḗ fine) + -ālis -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of penal¹

C15: from Late Latin poenālis concerning punishment, from poena penalty

Example Sentences

One wonders about a supposedly rehabilitative penal system that refuses to foster that kind of hope, that only pulverizes, exploits and, to cover its misdeeds, deletes.

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At the time of his death he had been in jail for three years on trumped-up charges and had recently been transferred to a penal colony in the Arctic Circle.

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Another rights group, Spring 96, recognised Mrs Fenner as a political prisoner who had been imprisoned in a penal colony.

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“There is no felony in the Texas penal code for what he says,” said Rep. Jolanda Jones, a Democrat.

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The number “187” was also spray painted on the wall, which the plaintiff attorneys say referred to the state penal code number for murder.

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Related Words

• punitive