- 1[uncountable, countable] an act or a way of punishing someone to inflict/impose/mete out punishment punishment (for something) 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 capital punishment, corporal punishment
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- 2[uncountable] rough treatment The carpet by the door takes the most punishment.
Check pronunciation: punishment