noun
punishment
PUH-nihsh-muhnt
noun
1
A penalty given for wrongdoing, or the act of imposing one.
"The punishment for the crime was a fine and community service."
"His parents believed in punishment as a way to teach discipline."
How to Use Punishment
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA penalty given as a consequence for doing wrong.
Common pairings
harsh punishment
capital punishment
fitting punishment
Word Forms
punishments plural
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The _____ for the crime was a fine and community service.
Etymology
From Old French punissement, from punir, "to punish."