penalty

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A punishment given for breaking a rule or law.

   The penalty for speeding is a heavy fine.

2. 2
   noun

   In sport, an advantage given to a team because the other side broke a rule.

   The striker scored from the penalty in the final minute.

3. 3
   noun

   A disadvantage suffered as a result of an action or condition.

   They neglected their health and paid the penalty.

4. 4
   noun

   A sum of money charged for breaking a contract or withdrawing money early.

   You will pay a penalty if you close the account before a year.

From Middle French pénalité, from pénal, from Latin poenālis, from poena, borrowing of Ancient Greek ποινή (poinḗ), from Proto-Hellenic *kʷoinā́, from Proto-Indo-European *kʷoynéh₂, comprising *kʷey- + *-néh₂.

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