penalty和punishment的区别是意思不同、用法不同。penalty一般指法律上的惩罚或体育运动比赛中的处罚。punishment泛指各种惩罚，诸如法律、父母、老师以及神的惩罚等。

例句：The law carries a penalty of up to three years in prison.该法令允许判处长达3年的监禁。Many people think that the death penalty is too severe a punishment for any crime。许多人认为无论对什么罪行来说，死刑都过于严厉了。Drink-driving is one case in which severe punishment seems to work as a deterrent。酒后驾车是严惩似乎能起威慑作用的一个例子。