# punishment

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈpʌnɪʃmənt/ · frequency rank #4,040

## Definitions
1. The act (action) or process of punishing, imposing and/or applying a sanction, typically by an authority or a person in authority (for example: a parent or teacher), especially when disappointed or dissatisfied with the behavior or actions of a child, student, or someone else being looked after.
2. A penalty to punish wrongdoing, especially for crime.
3. A suffering by pain or loss imposed as retribution.
4. Any harsh treatment or experience; rough handling.

## Etymology
From Middle English punishement, from Old French punissement, from punir (“to punish”). Equivalent to punish + -ment. Displaced native Old English wīte.

## Common misspellings (16)
`pnuishment`, `ppunishment`, `puinshment`, `punihsment`, `punishemnt`, `punishhment`, `punishmennt`, `punishmentt`, `punishmetn`, `punishmment`, `punishmnet`, `punismhent`, `punisshment`, `punnishment`, `punsihment`, `upnishment`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/punishment