# penalty

/ˈpɛnəɫti/ (US) · /pˈɛnəlti/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. legal punishment

noun · CEFR B1

a punishment given by a court for a crime.

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

- The maximum penalty for speeding in this area is a heavy fine.
- The judge noted that the statutory penalty for such a breach of trust was intended to act as a significant deterrent to others.

### 2. sporting foul

noun · CEFR B1

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

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

- The referee gave a penalty after the defender tripped the striker.
- The team's momentum stalled after they conceded a penalty in the final minutes of the championship match.

### 3. financial charge

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

- There is a small penalty if you withdraw your savings before the end of the year.
- The contract stipulates a daily penalty for every 24-hour period the project remains unfinished beyond the agreed deadline.

## Examples

- The company had to pay a heavy penalty for late taxes.
- If you withdraw your savings before the agreed date, the bank will charge a significant early-withdrawal penalty.
- Regulatory bodies have increased the financial penalty for data breaches to ensure that corporations prioritize the security of sensitive user information.

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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.