A state or country's penal code defines its crimes and describes its punishments. During the 18th and 19th centuries, many countries established penal colonies, where criminals were sent as punishment.

PENAL definition: of, relating to, or involving punishment, as for crimes or offenses. See examples of penal used in a sentence.

PENAL definition: 1. of or relating to punishment given by law: 2. having a harmful effect; causing disadvantage…. Learn more.

1. Of, relating to, or prescribing punishment, as for breaking the law. 2. Subject to punishment; legally punishable: a penal offense. 3. Serving as or constituting a means or place of punishment: penal …

Whenever you see the adjective penal, you'll know it has to do with court-ordered punishment. A government's penal code, for example, is a list of crimes and the punishments imposed for each of …

penal, adj.¹ & n. meanings, etymology, pronunciation and more in the Oxford English Dictionary

Penal means relating to the punishment of criminals. ...director-general of penal affairs at the justice ministry. ...penal and legal systems. A penal institution or colony is one where criminals are kept as …

Definition of penal adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

of or relating to punishment, as for crimes or offenses: a penal code. See -pen-. of, pertaining to, or involving punishment, as for crimes or offenses. prescribing punishment: penal laws. constituting …

The term "penal" dates back to the Medieval Latin word "pēnālis," which means "punishment." It refers to actions or behaviors that are subject to punishment under the law.