penal code

American  

noun

Law.

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

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penal code British  

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of penal code

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

Otherwise it contravened section 68 of Kenya's penal code and attracted up to 10 years in jail unless a court was satisfied the enlistment was not voluntary.

From BBC • Mar. 22, 2026

The punishment for which in Colombia is a prison sentence of between 26 to 45 years, according to the country's penal code.

From Barron's • Jan. 28, 2026

The government says it will focus on tax, labor and penal code reforms in the coming extraordinary session of Congress.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 30, 2025

Vietnam was the first to legally state in its penal code that “Ecocide, destroying the natural environment, whether committed in time of peace or war, constitutes a crime against humanity.”

From Salon • Apr. 30, 2025

The cour d’assises occupies itself entirely with offences of the most serious type, classified under the penal code as crimes, in accordance with the severity of the penalties attached.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 7 "Fox, George" to "France" by Various