penal

[peen-l]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or involving punishment, as for crimes or offenses.

2. prescribing punishment.

   penal laws.

3. constituting punishment.

   He survived the years of penal hardship.

4. used as a place of confinement and punishment.

   a penal colony.

5. subject to or incurring punishment.

   a penal offense.

6. payable or forfeitable as a penalty.

   a penal sum.

penal

/ ˈpiːnəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, constituting, or prescribing punishment

2. payable as a penalty

   a penal sum

3. used or designated as a place of punishment

   a penal institution

Other Word Forms

• penally adverb
• penality noun
• nonpenal adjective
• unpenal adjective
• unpenally adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of penal¹

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin poenālis, equivalent to poen ( a ) penalty (< Greek poinḗ fine) + -ālis -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of penal¹

C15: from Late Latin poenālis concerning punishment, from poena penalty

Example Sentences

“There is no felony in the Texas penal code for what he says,” said Rep. Jolanda Jones, a Democrat.

From Los Angeles Times

The number “187” was also spray painted on the wall, which the plaintiff attorneys say referred to the state penal code number for murder.

From Los Angeles Times

According to the complaint, he sent photographs of graffiti that read, “Swifty Blue 187,” a reference to the California penal code section for murder.

From Los Angeles Times

Six months into that sentence, representatives from the Russian military came to the penal colony and told the convicts they had an opportunity to turn a new page in their lives.

From BBC

While not quite that penal yet, this tournament does look like living up to its self-proclaimed billing as "the toughest test in golf".

From BBC

Related Words

• punitive