penalty

Pronunciation

• IPA ^(key): /ˈpɛnəlti/

• Audio (UK)

  (file)

• Hyphenation: pen‧al‧ty

Noun

Singular penalty

Plural penalties

1. (countable) A penalty is a legal punishment for committing a crime.

   The penalty for his crime was to pay a fine.

2. (countable) A penalty is a punishment for breaking the rules.
3. (finance) (countable) A penalty is a payment forfeited if you make an early withdrawal from an account or an investment.
4. (ice hockey) (countable) A penalty is a punishment for breaking the rules of the game; usually, being removed from play for a while.

   A penalty was called when he tripped up his opponent.

Related words

• penalty kick
• penalty box
• penalty area
• penalty shot
• penalty spot