penalty
PEN-uhl-tee
/ˈpenəlti/
A punishment imposed for breaking a law, rule, or contract, such as a monetary fine or driver point deduction.
Refers broadly to the consequence or fine imposed, rather than the act of breaking the rule or the ticket document.
The story behind the word. Ancient Greek 'poine' referred to compensation paid to a victim's family to settle blood feuds. Passed into Latin as 'poena' (giving us 'pain' and 'penitentiary'), it developed into medieval legal Latin 'poenalitas' to describe standardized administrative fines.
Word relationships
- punishment: Punishment is a general term for any retribution, whereas penalty usually refers to formal legal fines or statutory consequences.
- reward: A reward is given for good performance, whereas a penalty is imposed for rule violations.
Commonly confused with
- fine: A fine is specifically a monetary payment, whereas a penalty can be money, points on a license, or jail time.
Word family
- penalize (verb): To impose a penalty on someone.
- penal (adjective): Relating to punishment or legal penalties.
Collocations
- financial penalty
- stiff penalty
- impose a penalty
- face a penalty
Example sentences
- "The statutory penalty for failing to stop for a school bus includes a five-hundred-dollar fine and mandatory community service." Statutory Fines
- "Late payment of a traffic citation incurs an additional financial penalty assessed by the municipal court." Financial Consequences
Memory hook
PENALTY inflicts PAIN on your wallet. PENALTY = legal punishment.
When not to use
Do not confuse penalty with the citation (the ticket document) or the infraction (the bad driving move).
Fun facts
- In traffic law, 'double penalty zones' are often established near school zones and construction sites to deter speeding.
Also appears in
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