life sentence

noun

plural life sentences
: a sentence of imprisonment for the remainder of a convicted person's life when there is no possibility of parole or for a minimum number of years under applicable law until the convicted person becomes eligible for and is granted parole

Examples of life sentence in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Mangione, a 28-year-old Ivy League graduate accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, faces potential life sentences in separate state and federal trials and has pleaded not guilty in both cases. Michael R. Sisak, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026 Yang is serving a double life sentence for the shooting death of Rhoni Reuter and her unborn child in 2007. Adam Harrington, CBS News, 29 June 2026 Charged with two counts of first-degree murder, Occhicone received a life sentence for Raymond Artzner’s death and a death sentence for killing Martha Artzner. Jim Turner, Sun Sentinel, 29 June 2026 Shockley is serving a life sentence of his own at Hays State Prison, a high-security facility in rural northwest Georgia. Andy Rose, CNN Money, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for life sentence

Word History

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of life sentence was in 1817

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Cite this Entry

“Life sentence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/life%20sentence. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.

Legal Definition

life sentence

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