[ˈpɛnlti], (Noun)

Definitions:
- a punishment imposed for breaking a law, rule, or contract
(e.g: the charge carries a maximum penalty of ten years' imprisonment)

- (in sports and games) a handicap imposed on a player or team for infringement of rules
(e.g: she only incurred 6.40 penalties for time on cross-country)


Phrases:
- under penalty of

Origin:
early 16th century: probably via Anglo-Norman French, from medieval Latin poenalitas, based on poena ‘pain’