penal Definition
- 1relating to, used for, or prescribing the punishment of offenders under the legal system
- 2of or relating to a penitentiary or prison
Using penal: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "penal" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The penal code outlines the consequences for various crimes.
Example
He was sentenced to a penal institution for his involvement in the robbery.
Example
The team was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Example
The company faced penal charges for violating environmental regulations.
penal Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for penal
Phrases with penal
Example
Australia was originally established as a penal colony by the British government.
penal servitude
a form of punishment involving hard labor in prison
Example
He was sentenced to ten years of penal servitude for his crimes.
to impose a penalty or punishment on someone for a particular action or behavior
Example
The referee penalized the player for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Origins of penal
from Latin 'poenalis', meaning 'punishment'
Summary: penal in Brief
The term 'penal' [ˈpiːnəl] refers to anything related to punishment under the legal system, including prisons and penitentiaries. It is often used in phrases like 'penal colony' and 'penal servitude,' and can also be used to describe punishments for unsportsmanlike conduct. Synonyms include 'punitive' and 'disciplinary.'