Punishment
'pʌnɪʃmənt
Definitions
The act of making someone suffer for a crime or wrongdoing.
'pʌnɪʃmənt
The infliction or imposition of a penalty as retribution for an offense.
The severity of the punishment should fit the crime.
💡 Simply: When you do something wrong, like break a rule or hurt someone, the punishment is what happens as a result. It's like a consequence for your actions. Imagine your parents taking away your video game time after you didn't do your homework.
👶 For kids: When you do something bad, the bad thing that happens to you is called a punishment.
More Examples
Corporal punishment is a controversial topic in many schools.
He accepted his punishment with a sense of resignation.
How It's Used
"The punishment for the crime was a lengthy prison sentence."
"The teacher assigned detention as a punishment for disruptive behavior."
"She believed the lack of sleep was a just punishment for staying out late."
Idioms & expressions
fit the crime
To be appropriate or proportionate to the offense or wrongdoing.
"The judge decided the sentence should fit the crime."
From Middle English *punishmente*, from Old French *punissement*, from *punir* ('to punish'), from Latin *pūnīre* ('to punish'), from *pūniō* ('I punish'), related to *poena* ('penalty, pain').
The term 'punishment' has been used throughout history to describe consequences for wrongdoing, evolving alongside legal and societal norms.
Memory tip
Think of a judge handing down a sentence after a trial. The punishment is the consequence.