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 meaning: 1. of or relating to punishment given by law: 2. having a harmful effect; causing disadvantage…. Learn more.

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 …

PENAL definition: of, relating to, or involving punishment, as for crimes or offenses. See examples of penal used in a sentence.

The penal system is seen as the large scale solution to the problem of organizing a rational reaction to crime in a modern, complex society.

Definition of penal adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

Whenever you see the adjective penal, you'll know it has to do with court-ordered punishment. A government's penal code, for example, is a list of crimes and the punishments imposed for each of …