penalty
noun
pen·al·ty
ˈpe-nᵊl-tē 
plural penalties
1
: the suffering in person, rights, or property that is annexed by law or judicial decision to the commission of a crime or public offense
trespassing forbidden under penalty of imprisonment
2
: the suffering or the sum to be forfeited to which a person agrees to be subjected in case of nonfulfillment of stipulations
A penalty was imposed on the contractor for breach of contract.
3
a
: disadvantage, loss, or hardship due to some action
Loss of privacy is one of the penalties you pay for fame.
b
: a disadvantage (such as loss of yardage, time, or possession of the ball or an addition to or subtraction from the score) imposed on a team or competitor for violation of the rules of a sport
The team was given a penalty for the foul.
4
: points scored in bridge by the side that defeats the opposing contract
—usually used in plural
penalty
adjective
Examples of penalty in a Sentence
The company was given a severe penalty for the violation.
They allowed him to pay back the money without a penalty.
They allowed him to pay back the money without penalty.
Lack of privacy is one of the penalties you pay for fame.
The hockey player was given a penalty for holding.
Recent Examples on the Web
The red card also carried with it a ban from the team’s next game — in this case, the Belgium match — but FIFA suspended that penalty and imposed a one-year probation instead.
—
Kevin Baxter,
Los Angeles Times,
7 July 2026
Five minutes after right back Jarrell Quansah was sent off for a clumsy challenge, winger Anthony Gordon burst through on goal and the Mexican goalkeeper brought him down for a penalty that captain Harry Kane scored.
—
Peter White,
Deadline,
6 July 2026
In major competitions since Euro 1984 (including the UEFA Nations League), the contests have been tight affairs that have been decided by one goal or penalties.
—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
6 July 2026
The physical red card penalty has existed for over 50 years, though players have been ejected from games since the first World Cup in 1930, according to Guinness World Records.
—
Mason Leib,
ABC News,
6 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for penalty
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Kevin Baxter,
Los Angeles Times,
7 July 2026
Five minutes after right back Jarrell Quansah was sent off for a clumsy challenge, winger Anthony Gordon burst through on goal and the Mexican goalkeeper brought him down for a penalty that captain Harry Kane scored.
—
Peter White,
Deadline,
6 July 2026
In major competitions since Euro 1984 (including the UEFA Nations League), the contests have been tight affairs that have been decided by one goal or penalties.
—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
6 July 2026
The physical red card penalty has existed for over 50 years, though players have been ejected from games since the first World Cup in 1930, according to Guinness World Records.
—
Mason Leib,
ABC News,
6 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for penalty
Cite this Entry
“Penalty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/penalty. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
penalty
noun
pen·al·ty
ˈpen-ᵊl-tē
plural penalties
1
: punishment for a crime or offense
2
: something forfeited when one fails to do what one has agreed to do
3
: disadvantage, loss, or hardship due to some action or condition
4
: a punishment or handicap given for breaking a rule in a sport or game
Legal Definition
penalty
noun
pen·al·ty
ˈpen-ᵊl-tē
plural penalties
1
: a punishment that is imposed on a wrongdoer by statute or judicial decision
2
: a pecuniary sum that by agreement is to be paid by a party who fails to fulfill an obligation to another and that is punitive rather than compensatory
the court declined to enforce the contractual penalty and determined actual damages instead
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