penal

Universal Words adjective [usuallybeforenoun] 1 connected with or used for punishment, especially by law: penal laws / reforms * the penal system * Criminals could at one time be sentenced to penal servitude (= prison with hard physical work). * a penal colony (= a place where criminals were sent as a punishment in the past) 2 that can be punished by law: a penal offence 3 very severe: penal rates of interest