penalty

pen·al·ty

Use penalty in a sentence

Getting a ticket is a penalty for speeding.

noun

The definition of a penalty is a punishment, fine or a negative result of an act.

An example of a penalty is having to attend traffic school for a getting a speeding ticket.

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MLA Style

"penalty." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 16 March 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Penalty>.

APA Style

penalty. (n.d.). Retrieved March 16th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Penalty

penalty

noun

pl. -·ties

a punishment fixed by law, as for a crime or breach of contract
the disadvantage, suffering, handicap, etc. imposed upon an offender or one who does not fulfill a contract or obligation, as a fine or forfeit; specif., a forfeit paid for withdrawal before maturity of invested funds
any unfortunate consequence or result of an act or condition
Sports any disadvantage, as a loss of yardage or the removal of a player, imposed because of infraction of a rule

Origin of penalty

Late Middle English penalyte from Medieval Latin poenalitas from Classical Latin poenalis: see penal

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Link to this page

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MLA Style

"penalty." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 16 March 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Penalty>.

APA Style

penalty. (n.d.). Retrieved March 16th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Penalty

penalty

noun

pl. pen·al·ties

A punishment imposed for a violation of law.
A sum established by a contract to be forfeited in lieu of actual damages in the event of a breach of the contract.
The disadvantage or painful consequences resulting from an action or condition: neglected his health and paid the penalty.
Sports
a. A punishment, handicap, or loss of advantage imposed on a team or competitor for infraction of a rule.
b. An infraction of a rule; a foul.
c. A penalty kick.
d. A penalty shot.
Games Points scored in contract bridge by the opponents when the declarer fails to make a bid.

Origin of penalty

Middle English penalte from Old French penalite from Medieval Latin poenālitās from Latin poenālis penal ; see penal.

THE AMERICAN HERITAGE® DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FIFTH EDITION by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries. Copyright © 2016, 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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Link to this page

Cite this page

MLA Style

"penalty." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 16 March 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Penalty>.

APA Style

penalty. (n.d.). Retrieved March 16th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Penalty

Noun

(plural penalties)

A legal sentence.
The penalty for his crime was to do hard labor.
A punishment for violating rules of procedure.
(finance) A payment forfeited for an early withdrawal from an account or an investment.
(soccer) A direct free kick from the penalty spot, taken after a defensive foul in the penalty box; a penalty kick.
(ice hockey) A punishment for an infraction of the rules, often in the form of being removed from play for a specified amount of time.
A penalty was called when he tripped up his opponent.