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.

Understanding the Context

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….

Key Insights

Learn more. 1. Of, relating to, or prescribing punishment, as for breaking the law. 2. Subject to punishment; legally punishable: a penal offense.

Final Thoughts

3. Serving as or constituting a means or place of punishment: penal servitude; a penal colony. 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 punishment.

...imprisoned on an island that has served as a penal colony since Roman times. Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary. This term is often used in the context of law and justice systems, such as penal codes (laws and regulations specifying punishments for crimes) or penal institutions (prisons or correctional facilities). penal, adj.¹ & n.