ENGLISH
REFERENCE

spanking

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈspæŋkɪŋ// UK //spˈæŋkɪŋ// spank·ing Informal

n. a punishment where someone is hit on their bottom with a flat hand. It is usually used when talking about how parents discipline children.

n. the act of striking the buttocks with the open hand as a form of corporal punishment. Often discussed in the context of child-rearing or historical disciplinary practices.


SIMPLE

The child received a spanking for breaking the window.

CONTEXTUAL

Many modern psychologists advise against spanking as a method of discipline, suggesting positive reinforcement instead.

COMPLEX

The debate over the legality of spanking continues to evolve, with several countries passing legislation to ban corporal punishment in the home entirely.

Synonyms
Etymology 1

From spank (“to move energetically”) + -ing.

Etymology 2

From spank (“to punish by swatting”) + -ing (participial suffix) and -ing (gerundial suffix).

Usage

Commonly used with the verbs 'give' or 'get'.

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