penalty

[pen-l-tee]

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.

penalty

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of penalty¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of penalty¹

C16: from Medieval Latin poenālitās penalty; see _penal

Example Sentences

Riley, who broke the Yankees’ postgame huddle with a speech, said he was far prouder of his three interceptions — a fourth being called back due to a penalty — than his two touchdown grabs.

From Los Angeles Times

California residents must sign an affidavit under penalty of perjury to register to vote.

From Los Angeles Times

If Anthropic were charged a maximum penalty for each of the millions of works it used to train its AI, the bill could have been more than $1 trillion, some calculations suggest.

From Los Angeles Times

The regulator has ordered the company to bring such practices to an end, as well as pay the nearly €3bn penalty.

From BBC

Grid penalty gives Hamilton 'more to fight for'

From BBC

Related Words

• cost 
• discipline 
• fine 
• forfeiture 
• punishment