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 meaning: 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 …

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

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

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 …

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 …

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 …

penal laws a penal institution [= prison] a penal colony [=a place where prisoners are sent to live]