Synonyms

penal code

American

noun

Law.

the aggregate of statutory enactments dealing with crimes and their punishment.

penal code British

noun

the codified body of the laws in any legal system that relate to crime and its punishment

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of penal code

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

This comes from Penal Code Section 396, which prohibits price gouging on consumer goods, services and rent.

From Salon • Feb. 15, 2025

In 2021, the California Board of State and Community Corrections created the Public Defense Pilot Program, which provided funds so that public defender’s offices could represent clients under several statutes, including Penal Code §1473.7.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 25, 2023

They argue the offences it seeks to criminalise are already covered in the country's Penal Code Act.

From BBC • Mar. 21, 2023

In India, the Penal Code of 1861 punished those who attempted to enslave others.

From Textbooks • Dec. 14, 2022

“He says we are charged under Article 58 of the Soviet Penal Code for counterrevolutionary activities against the USSR,” said Mother.

From "Between Shades of Gray" by Ruta Sepetys

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023