Definition and meaning of English word "penalty"
penalty
/ˈpɛnəlti/
How to use
The term 'penalty' is often used in legal and sports contexts. It refers to a punishment or a disadvantage imposed for a fault or mistake. A common grammatical nuance is using 'penalty' with the preposition 'for', as in 'a penalty for a foul'.
🇬🇧 English
penalty
Example
The penalty for his crime was to do hard labor.
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Common phrases
- impose a penalty— to inflict a penalty
- penalty clause— a provision in a contract specifying a penalty
- death penalty— a sentence of death as a punishment
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This concept in other languages
Frequency rank: #1335 in English
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the English word "penalty" mean?▼
The English word "penalty" means "penalty" in English.
How do you pronounce the English word "penalty"?▼
You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "penalty" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.
Can I see an example sentence with "penalty"?▼
Yes, here is a practical example: "The penalty for his crime was to do hard labor." (which translates as "penalty").
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