What does "penalty" mean?

1. (legal punishment) a punishment given by a court for a crime. 2. (sporting foul) a punishment for breaking a rule in a game, often giving the other team an advantage. 3. (financial charge) an extra amount of money you must pay if you break an agreement or pay late.

penalty

US //ˈpɛnəɫti// UK //pˈɛnəlti// penal·ty

1 legal punishment (n.)
B1 Intermediate Law

a punishment given by a court for a crime.

a judicial punishment or sentence imposed for a violation of the law.

Example

The maximum penalty for speeding in this area is a heavy fine.

Example

The judge noted that the statutory penalty for such a breach of trust was intended to act as a significant deterrent to others.
- reward
- pardon
2 sporting foul (n.)
B1 Intermediate Sport

a punishment for breaking a rule in a game, often giving the other team an advantage.

a disadvantage imposed on a player or team for an infringement of the rules.

Example

The referee gave a penalty after the defender tripped the striker.

Example

The team's momentum stalled after they conceded a penalty in the final minutes of the championship match.
- foul
- sanction

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3 financial charge (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Finance

an extra amount of money you must pay if you break an agreement or pay late.

a sum of money required as a forfeit for a breach of contract or late payment.

Example

There is a small penalty if you withdraw your savings before the end of the year.

Example

The contract stipulates a daily penalty for every 24-hour period the project remains unfinished beyond the agreed deadline.

Origin

From Middle French pénalité, from pénal, from Latin poenālis, from poena, borrowing of Ancient Greek ποινή (poinḗ), from Proto-Hellenic kʷoinā́, from Proto-Indo-European kʷoynéh₂, comprising kʷey- + -néh₂.

Idioms3 entries