Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English - punishment

~ n 1 a way in which someone or something is punished + for  (I sent Alex to bed early as a punishment for breaking the window. | You know the punishment for treason, don't you?) a harsh/severe punishment (=one that makes someone suffer a lot) 2 the act of punishing someone or the process of being punished  (We are determined that the terrorists will not escape punishment.) 3 informal rough treatment; damage  (With five children in the house, the furniture has to take a lot of punishment.)  (- see also capital punishment, corporal punishment)