punishment
noun
- imposition of an undesirable or unpleasant outcome as a response and deterrent to an action or behaviour that is deemed undesirable or unacceptable
- facet of operant conditioning; change in a human or animal's surroundings that occurs after a given behavior or response which reduces the likelihood of that behavior occurring again in the future
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈpʌnɪʃmənt/ / [ˈpʰʌnɪʃmənt] ~ [ˈpʰʌnɪʃmn̩t]
noun
Etymology: From Middle English punishement, from Old French punissement, from punir (“to punish”). Equivalent to punish + -ment. Displaced native Old English wīte.
- 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.
“The naughty children were given a punishment by their teachers.”
- A penalty to punish wrongdoing, especially for crime.
“a light punishment”
“a harsh punishment”
- A suffering by pain or loss imposed as retribution.
- Any harsh treatment or experience; rough handling.
“a vehicle that can take a lot of punishment”