punishment /ˈpʌnɪʃmənt/noun 4forms 1phrases 1 noun4 •the act of making someone suffer in some way for something wrong that they didThe naughty children were given a punishment by their teachers. •A penalty to punish wrongdoing, especially for crime. •A suffering by pain or loss imposed as retribution. •(figurative) Any harsh treatment or experience; rough handling.a vehicle that can take a lot of punishment formspunishments Phrases with punishment glutton for punishmentOne who persists in an effort in spite of harmful or unpleasant results.