penalty meaning and definition

PENALTY noun

Definition of penalty (noun)

1. the act of punishing
   • synonyms: penalisation, penalization, punishment
2. a payment required for not fulfilling a contract
3. the disadvantage or painful consequences of an action or condition
   • "neglected his health and paid the penalty"
   • antonym: advantage
4. (games) a handicap or disadvantage that is imposed on a competitor (or a team) for an infraction of the rules of the game