a punishment legally imposed or incurred for committing a crime
a disadvantage imposed for violation of the rules of a sport
(in pl) in bridge, points scored by the side that defeats the opposing contract
a forfeiture to which a person agrees to be subject if conditions are not fulfilled
a penalty clause in the contract
= penalty kick
disadvantage, loss, or suffering caused by some action
[medieval Latin poenalitas from Latin poenalis, from poena: see pain1]