<p><strong>Adjective</strong></p><ul><li>of, relating to, or involving punishment, as for crimes or offenses.</li><li>prescribing punishment: penal laws.</li><li>constituting punishment: He survived the years of penal hardship.</li><li>used as a place of confinement and punishment: a penal colony.</li><li>subject to or incurring punishment: a penal offense.</li><li>payable or forfeitable as a penalty: a penal sum.</li></ul>