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penalty

[ pen-l-tee ]
/ ˈpɛn l ti /
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See synonyms for: penalty / penalties on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural pen·al·ties.
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.
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Origin of penalty

1505–15; â‰Ș Medieval Latin poenālitās.See penal, -ty2
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use penalty in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for penalty

penalty
/ (ˈpɛnəltÉȘ) /

noun plural -ties
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

Word Origin for penalty

C16: from Medieval Latin poenālitās penalty; see penal
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
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