castigation

UK: /ˌkæstɪˈgeɪʃ^ən/

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

cas•ti•gate /ˈkæstɪˌgeɪt/   v. [~ + object] , -gat•ed, -gat•ing. 

1. to reprimand or criticize severely:
   The principal castigated the pupils for vandalizing the school.

cas•ti•ga•tion /ˌkæstɪˈgeɪʃən/  n. [uncountable]
cas•ti•ga•tor, n. [countable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

cas•ti•gate  (kas′ti gāt′), v.t., -gat•ed, -gat•ing. 

1. to criticize or reprimand severely.
2. to punish in order to correct.

• Latin castīgātus literally, driven to be faultless (past participle of castigāre to chasten), equivalent. to cast(us) pure, chaste + -īg-, combining form of agere to drive, incite + -ātus -ate¹
• 1600–10;

cas′ti•ga′tion, n. 
cas′ti•ga′tive, cas•ti•ga•to•ry  (kas′ti gə tôr′ē, -tōr′ē), adj.  cas′ti•ga′tor, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. scold, reprove.
• 2. discipline, chastise, chasten.