penalty
a punishment imposed or incurred for a violation of law or rule.
a loss, forfeiture, suffering, or the like, to which one subjects oneself by nonfulfillment of some obligation.
something that is forfeited, as a sum of money.
a disadvantage imposed upon one of the competitors or upon one side for infraction of the rules of a game, sport, etc.
consequence or disadvantage attached to any action, condition, etc.
Origin of penalty
1Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use penalty in a sentence
What are needed, she argued, are neither criminal penalties nor civil damages.
Court Says Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Isn’t a Crime | Elizabeth Picciuto | December 9, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTHe has since put in place penalties for hospitals and surgeons that perform elective cesareans.
Allah, Mom, and Baklava: Turkish President Uses Mothers and Kids as Political Pawns | Xanthe Ackerman | November 27, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe penalties are set in stone through 2016, but after that they will remain at $695 per year, plus inflation.
Think You’re Invincible? Here’s Why Open Enrollment Matters | DailyBurn | November 16, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe envelope also contains a warning about the federal penalties for obstructing the mail.
Grimes Campaign “Exploring Legal Options” Against McConnell | Ben Jacobs | October 31, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTSecond, penalties need to be increased for lying or deliberately withholding relevant requested information from Congress.
George W. Bush’s Puzzling WMD Coverup | Rick Santorum, Pete Hoekstra | October 27, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
The decay and ruin of nearly all the "old families" in Ireland are among the penalties of disregarding it.
Glances at Europe | Horace GreeleyIn no part of the world,” he assured us, “were the Custom-house officers so strict, and the penalties so heavy.
A Woman's Journey Round the World | Ida PfeifferWhoever infringed these rules incurred the penalties of high treason.
The History of England from the Accession of James II. | Thomas Babington MacaulayA few days later, the bill of pains and penalties against Duncombe passed the Commons.
The History of England from the Accession of James II. | Thomas Babington MacaulayUnder the latter he was deprived of his preferment in Oxford, and under a harsher rule might have incurred yet graver penalties.
The English Church in the Eighteenth Century | Charles J. Abbey and John H. Overton
British Dictionary definitions for penalty
/ (ˈpɛnəltɪ) /
a legal or official punishment, such as a term of imprisonment
some other form of punishment, such as a fine or forfeit for not fulfilling a contract
loss, suffering, or other unfortunate result of one's own action, error, etc
sport games a handicap awarded against a player or team for illegal play, such as a free shot at goal by the opposing team, loss of points, etc
Origin of penalty
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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