1. 处罚；惩罚
    Punishment is the act of punishing someone or of being punished.

    e.g. ...a group which campaigns against the physical punishment of children...
           一个反对体罚儿童的团体
    e.g. I have no doubt that the man is guilty and that he deserves punishment.
           我毫不怀疑此人是罪有应得。

2. 处罚（或惩罚）方式
    A punishment is a particular way of punishing someone.

punishment在线翻译

    e.g. The government is proposing tougher punishments for officials convicted of corruption...
           政府提议对已被定罪的贪污腐败官员实施更为严厉的惩罚。
    e.g. The usual punishment is a fine.
           通常处以罚款。

3. 粗暴对待；虐待；糟蹋
    You can use punishment to refer to severe physical treatment of any kind.

    e.g. Don't expect these types of boot to take the punishment that gardening will give them.
           不要指望能穿着这类靴子去干园艺活儿，它们没那么耐穿耐磨。

4. see also: capital punishment;corporal punishment