penalty box

American  

[pen-l-tee boks] / ˈpɛn l ti ˌbɒks /

noun

1. Ice Hockey. an enclosed space adjacent to the rink for penalized players, the penalty timekeeper, the game timekeeper, and the official scorer.

   Prior to 1963, there was only one penalty box in each of the six NHL arenas.

2. a temporary punishment: When we send our son to the penalty box, he knows to go straight to his room.

   I can’t go because I’ve been sent to the penalty box for missing another curfew.

   When we send our son to the penalty box, he knows to go straight to his room.

3. a chastisement or humiliation.

   If you dare voice an opposing opinion at these meetings, you end up in the penalty box.

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penalty box British  

noun

1. soccer another name for penalty area

2. ice hockey a bench for players serving time penalties

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Etymology

Origin of penalty box

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

Here’s how it finally left the AI penalty box.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 12, 2026

India seems to be getting out of President Donald Trump’s tariff penalty box.

From Barron's • Feb. 19, 2026

She then skated away to serve her two minutes, a cheeky grin plastered across her face, chirping all the way to the penalty box.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 16, 2026

Ordaz took a pass from Bouanga in the penalty box, spun and booted a right-footed shot into the right side of the goal in the 31st minute.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 13, 2025

The players from both teams lined up outside the penalty box.

From "Tangerine" by Edward Bloor