Dictionary entries for 'penalty'

Synonyms

pen·al·ty (pĕńəl-tē)

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

noun: pl., -ties.

A punishment established by law or authority for a crime or offense.
Something, especially a sum of money, required as a forfeit for an offense.
The disadvantage or painful consequences resulting from an action or condition: neglected his health and paid the penalty.
Sports
1. A punishment, handicap, or loss of advantage imposed on a team or competitor for infraction of a rule.
2. An infraction of a rule; a foul.
Games Points scored in contract bridge by the opponents when the declarer fails to make a bid. Often used in the plural.