penance penance /ˈpɛnəns/

noun

1. () A Catholic sacrament; repentance and confession and atonement and absolution  ( penance )
   a Catholic sacrament; repentance and confession and atonement and absolution
   
2. () Remorse for your past conduct  ( penitence , penance , repentance )
   remorse for your past conduct
   
3. Voluntary self-punishment in order to atone for some wrongdoing  ( penance , self-abasement , self-mortification )
   voluntary self-punishment in order to atone for some wrongdoing