1. A negative consequence imposed for breaking a rule, law, or agreement
   "The judge handed down a severe penalty for the crime";
   - punishment, penalization, penalisation [Brit], sanction
    
2. A payment required for not fulfilling a contract
   "The contractor incurred a penalty for missing the project deadline"
    
3. The disadvantage or painful consequences of an action or condition
   "neglected his health and paid the penalty"
    
4. (games) a handicap or disadvantage that is imposed on a competitor (or a team) for an infraction of the rules of the game
   "The team received a penalty for too many players on the ice"
    
5. (soccer) a free kick from a spot marked in front of the goal, defended only by the goalkeeper
   "The striker scored the winning goal with a well-placed penalty kick";
   - penalty kick

Derived forms: penalties

Type of: disadvantage, handicap, payment, social control

Antonym: reward

Encyclopedia: Penalty