/ ˈpʌnɪʃmənt; NAmE / noun
1.
[ U , C ] punishment (for sth) an act or a way of punishing sb :
to inflict / impose / mete out punishment
What is the punishment for murder?
There is little evidence that harsher punishments deter any better than more lenient ones.
The punishment should fit the crime.
He was sent to his room as a punishment .
—see also capital punishment , corporal punishment
2.
[ U ] rough treatment :
The carpet by the door takes the most punishment.
For more information see the Cultural Guide
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Old French punissement , from the verb punir punish, from Latin punire , from poena penalty.