English Online Dictionary. What means punishment? What does punishment mean?
English
Etymology
From Middle English punishement, from Old French punissement, from punir (“to punish”). Equivalent to punish + -ment. Displaced native Old English wīte.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ˈpʌnɪʃmənt/
- Hyphenation: pun‧ish‧ment
Noun
punishment (countable and uncountable, plural punishments)
- 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.
- A penalty to punish wrongdoing, especially for crime.
- a light punishment
- a harsh punishment
- A suffering by pain or loss imposed as retribution.
- (figuratively) Any harsh treatment or experience; rough handling.
Synonyms
Antonyms
- reward
Hyponyms
Derived terms
Related terms
Translations
See also
- telishment
Anagrams
- unshipment