Meaning & Definition of Penal in English

Detailed Definitions

• Definition: Relating to punishment, especially the legal punishment of criminals.

  Example Sentence: The penal code outlines the various crimes and their corresponding punishments.

• Definition: Designated for punishment or corrective treatment.

  Example Sentence: He was sent to a penal institution for his offenses.

Etymology

Origin: From Latin 'poenalis', from 'poena' meaning 'penalty, punishment'.

Synonyms

Common Phrases and Expressions

• penal system: The legal system concerning the punishment of crime.
• penal colony: A settlement used to isolate prisoners from the general population.

Translations

• Spanish: penal

• French: pénal

• German: strafrechtlich

• Russian: уголовный

Related Words

• punishment: The infliction of a penalty as retribution for an offense.

• correctional: Relating to the punishment, rehabilitation, and supervision of those convicted of crimes.

Slang Meanings of penal

• Meaning: Penal as in jail or prison-related slang.

  Example Sentence: He'll be doing time in the pen.

• Meaning: Referring to the penal system in a derogatory sense.

  Example Sentence: That judge is part of the penal machine.