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

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

A penal action is an action brought for the purpose of imposing a penalty upon a defendant for committing a general wrong to the public. Penal liability refers to liability that arises from criminal …

1. of or pertaining to punishment, as for crimes or offenses. 2. prescribing punishment: penal laws. 3. used as a place of confinement and punishment: a penal colony. 4. subject to or incurring …

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

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

The penal system is seen as the large scale solution to the problem of organizing a rational reaction to crime in a modern, complex society.

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 …

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 …