# penalties

/ˈpɛnəɫtiz/ (US) · /pˈɛnəltɪz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/penalties
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. punishments

noun · CEFR B1

punishments given for breaking a law, rule, or contract.

For teachers: sanctions or punishments imposed for a violation of law, regulation, or contractual obligation.

- The company faced heavy financial penalties for polluting the local river.
- The new legislation introduces stricter criminal penalties for data breaches, including significant fines and potential custodial sentences for company directors.

### 2. sporting fouls

noun · CEFR B1

punishments in a game, like a free shot at the goal after a foul.

For teachers: disadvantages or handicaps imposed on a player or team for an infringement of the rules.

- The referee gave three penalties during the second half of the match.
- The team's lack of discipline resulted in several unnecessary penalties, ultimately costing them their lead in the final minutes of the game.

### 3. a shootout

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a series of penalty kicks used to decide a winner when a game ends in a tie.

For teachers: a penalty shootout used as a tie-breaking method in association football and similar sports.

- The game was so close that it finally went to penalties.
- After a gruelling two hours of scoreless play, the quarter-final was decided on penalties, with the underdog goalkeeper making two spectacular saves.

Usage: Often used with the verb 'to go to'.

## Examples

- The company faces heavy penalties for polluting the river.
- The referee gave several penalties during the final minutes of the game to keep the players under control.
- Contractual penalties for late delivery are designed to ensure that suppliers adhere strictly to the agreed timeline, protecting the buyer from potential lost revenue.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.