in football, rugby, and similar sports, a chance to score a goal or point without other players trying to take the ball off you. This is given to you because an opponent has broken a ruleThey scored from a penalty awarded when Jenkins handled the ball.
take a penalty: The skipper told me I had to take the penalty and I was delighted.
miss a penalty: Southgate missed a penalty that would have won them the match.
kick a penalty (=in rugby): Fox kicked a last-minute penalty to give the All-Blacks a sensational victory.