penalty

American  

[pen-l-tee] / ˈpɛn l ti /

noun

plural

penalties

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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Etymology

Origin of penalty

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

Example Sentences

Immediate deductions remove the tax penalty on investment, lowering the cost of capital and making more projects economically viable.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 7, 2026

The failure-to-pay penalty is 0.5% of unpaid tax, and it builds to 25% the longer the sum goes unpaid.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 6, 2026

Leeds United survive West Ham's fightback from 2-0 down to 2-2 as a penalty shootout victory sends the West Yorkshire side to their first FA Cup semi-final since 1987.

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026

We commonly take a lost-ball penalty after stumbling across other people’s lost balls in the same area, which are perfectly playable.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

Even in death penalty cases, the Court grants review only in a small percentage of the cases filed.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson

Related Words

• cost
• discipline
• fine
• forfeiture
• punishment