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
But Ridley said the bill’s penalties for illicit drug possession or use still would create problems for many providers.
—
Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch, 13 Feb. 2026
Consider the complexity of your tax situation Some tax issues, such as requesting penalty relief or setting up a payment plan, are relatively easy for taxpayers to work directly with the IRS.
—Roxanne Downer, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
Kelly testified in support of a bill that would add stricter penalties for people who speed in active school or construction zones.
—Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 13 Feb. 2026
The death-penalty trial of the man who barged into a nail salon and gunned down a 10-year-old boy during a robbery abruptly ended on Tuesday, after prosecutors rested their case.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 11 Feb. 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.
Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch, 13 Feb. 2026
Consider the complexity of your tax situation Some tax issues, such as requesting penalty relief or setting up a payment plan, are relatively easy for taxpayers to work directly with the IRS.
—Roxanne Downer, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
Kelly testified in support of a bill that would add stricter penalties for people who speed in active school or construction zones.
—Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 13 Feb. 2026
The death-penalty trial of the man who barged into a nail salon and gunned down a 10-year-old boy during a robbery abruptly ended on Tuesday, after prosecutors rested their case.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 11 Feb. 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 14 Feb. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
