punishment

Etymology

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

noun

  1. The act or process of punishing, imposing and/or applying a sanction.
    The naughty children were given a punishment by their teachers.
  2. A penalty to punish wrongdoing, especially for crime.
    a light punishment
    a harsh punishement
  3. A suffering by pain or loss imposed as retribution
  4. (figurative) Any harsh treatment or experience; rough handling.
    a vehicle that can take a lot of punishment

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