pe·nal Audio pronunciation of "penal" ( P ) Pronunciation Key (pnl)
adj.
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 servitude; a penal colony.
[Middle English, from Old French peinal, and from Medieval Latin pnlis both from Latin poenlis, from poena, penalty, from Greek poin. See kwei-1 in Indo-European Root