punishment

From Middle English punishement, from Old French punissement, from punir (“to punish”). Equivalent to punish +‎ -ment. Displaced native Old English wīte.

• IPA^(key): /ˈpʌnɪʃmənt/

• Audio (US):

  (file)

• Hyphenation: pun‧ish‧ment

punishment (countable and uncountable, plural punishments)

1. The act (action) or process of punishing, imposing and/or applying a sanction, typically by an authority or a person in authority (for example: a parent or teacher), especially when disappointed or dissatisfied with the behavior or actions of a child, student, or someone else being looked after.

   The naughty children were given a punishment by their teachers.

2. A penalty to punish wrongdoing, especially for crime.

   a light punishment

   a harsh punishment

   • 2012 May 24, John D. Sutter, “Welcome to the world’s nicest prison”, in CNN‎^[1]:

     But officials here maintain that their methods do make a difference, and they follow it up with post-release programs. The aim of Bastoy is not to punish or seek revenge, Nilsen said. The only punishment is to take away the prisoner’s right to be a free member of society.

3. A suffering by pain or loss imposed as retribution.
4. (figuratively) Any harsh treatment or experience; rough handling.

   a vehicle that can take a lot of punishment

• reward

• telishment

• unshipment