penalty

American  

[pen-l-tee] / ˈpɛn l ti /

noun

• penalties
  plural

1. a punishment imposed or incurred for a violation of law or rule.

2. a loss, forfeiture, suffering, or the like, to which one subjects oneself by nonfulfillment of some obligation.

3. something that is forfeited, as a sum of money.

4. a disadvantage imposed upon one of the competitors or upon one side for infraction of the rules of a game, sport, etc.

5. consequence or disadvantage attached to any action, condition, etc.

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penalty British  

/ ˈpɛnəltɪ /

noun

1. a legal or official punishment, such as a term of imprisonment

2. some other form of punishment, such as a fine or forfeit for not fulfilling a contract

3. loss, suffering, or other unfortunate result of one's own action, error, etc

4. 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

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• penalties
  plural

Etymology

Origin of penalty

1505–15; ≪ Medieval Latin poenālitās. See penal, -ty ²

Explanation

A penalty is a punishment or consequence for doing something wrong, such as having to pay a fee for not bringing your library book back when it was due. In hockey, players who break the rules have to sit in "the penalty box." Just like the penalty box punishes hockey players, all penalties are punishments for doing something wrong. Going to prison is the penalty for serious crimes. Detention is the penalty for misbehaving in school. Often, penalty applies to payments people have to make for breaking a financial contract of some kind.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

penalty penalties

Maher said there has been "quite a bit of activity" in state legislatures to approve and reauthorise other methods of execution since Trump began expressing enthusiasm for the death penalty.

From BBC ● Oct. 12, 2026

Antonelli's team-mate George Russell was sixth fastest but will drop to the back of the grid with a penalty for using too many engine parts.

From BBC ● Oct. 10, 2026

The maximum penalty in Baja California is 60 years.

From Barron's ● Oct. 9, 2026

And as City, which denies any wrongdoing, awaits an unprecedented penalty for financial doping, the scandal has rippled all the way to new Prime Minister Andy Burnham.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026

The Santos converted on the penalty kick to take a 1-0 lead.

From "Outcasts United: An American Town, a Refugee Team, and One Woman's Quest to Make a Difference" by Warren St. John

Florida took a pair of penalties before the period ended, giving the Kings a two-man advantage and a chance to add to their lead.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2026

In practice, the order will defer payment of the Federal excise tax imposed on the fuel for the rest for the year, without penalties or interest.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 6, 2026

There’s been talk of where he might go next if he exits, but a return to college will be tricky, as Harbaugh faces penalties from his Ann Arbor sojourn.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2026

While McVay enjoyed watching Kyren Williams rush for two touchdowns and receiver Puka Nacua rush for another, the Rams had to overcome turnovers, penalties and special teams miscues to improve to 2-2.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 4, 2026

The Panthers were dominating every facet of the game, but fumbles and penalties had kept Permian from leading 35-0 at the half.

From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger

Related Words

• cost
• discipline
• fine
• forfeiture
• punishment