/ ˈpiːnl; NAmE / adjective [ usually before noun ]
1.
connected with or used for punishment, especially by law :
penal 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
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Old French penal , from Latin poenalis , from poena pain, penalty.