punishment

The word “punishment” means a penalty given for wrongdoing, or the act of imposing one. In plain terms, a penalty given as a consequence for doing wrong.

“Punishment” is pronounced PUH-nihsh-muhnt (/ˈpʌnɪʃmənt/ in IPA).

Here is “punishment” used in a sentence: “The punishment for the crime was a fine and community service.”

Words with a similar meaning to “punishment” include castigation, chastening, chastisement, correction, gruel and punition.

“Punishment” is a noun.

The word “punishment” comes from Old French. From Old French punissement, from punir, "to punish.".

“Punishment” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

Punishment is a penalty imposed for wrongdoing, focused on the response to a specific offence. Discipline is broader, referring to training and correction meant to teach acceptable behaviour, of which punishment may be one part.

A punishment is deliberately imposed by someone in authority as a penalty for wrongdoing. A consequence is any result that follows an action and may occur naturally, without anyone choosing to impose it.

Punishment appears in fixed phrases such as "capital punishment" (the death penalty) and "corporal punishment" (physical penalty). Common verbs include "impose," "mete out," "receive," and "escape" punishment.

Punishment can be both. It is uncountable when referring to the general idea ("crime and punishment") and countable when referring to a specific penalty ("a harsh punishment").