D defs.my
Menu ☰
Entry 4 senses Webster, 1913

Punishment

/pŭn'-ĭsh-mənt/ · Pun·ish·ment · IPA /ˈpʌnɪʃmənt/
01 n. The act of punishing.
  1. 1.
    The act of punishing.
  2. 2.
    Any pain, suffering, or loss inflicted on a person because of a crime or offense.
    “I never gave them condign punishment.” — Shak.
    “The rewards and punishments of another life.” — Locke.
  3. 3.
    A penalty inflicted by a court of justice on a convicted offender as a just retribution, and incidentally for the purposes of reformation and prevention.(Law)
  4. 4.
    Severe, rough, or disastrous treatment.[Colloq. or Slang]