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penalty
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/ˈpen(ə)lti/ 
| singular | penalty |
| plural | penalties |
- 1a punishment for breaking a rule or lawpenalty for:
The maximum penalty for the offence is two years’ imprisonment.
severe/heavy/stiff/tough penalties:There are severe penalties for companies who breach environmental laws.
Under the law the president is able to impose tough penalties.
carry a penalty:The crime carries a much heavier penalty in the US.
- 2something bad that happens to you because of your behaviour or position in societypenalty of/for:
Increased risk of skin cancer is one of the penalties of sunbathing.
pay the penalty (for something) (=to suffer because of your behaviour):Some growers are paying the penalty for not watering crops sufficiently in hot weather.
- 3in football, rugby, and similar sports, a chance to score a goal or point without other players trying to take the ball off you. This is given to you because an opponent has broken a rule
They scored from a penalty awarded when Jenkins handled the ball.
take a penalty:Beckham volunteered to take the crucial penalty.
miss a penalty:Southgate missed a penalty that would have won them the match.
kick a penalty (=in rugby):Fox kicked a last-minute penalty to give the All-Blacks a sensational victory.
This is the British English definition of penalty. View American English definition of penalty.
Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to American English.
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