capital punishment

noun

: punishment by death : the practice of killing people as punishment for serious crimes

called also death penalty

Examples of capital punishment in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
While capital punishment is practiced by fewer jurisdictions, those that do it use it often. The Week Us, TheWeek, 13 Apr. 2026 Under Florida law, only eight of 12 jurors have to vote for the death penalty, not the unanimous vote required by most states that permit capital punishment. Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2026 What is clear is that the legislation represents more than a policy choice about capital punishment. Arie Perliger, The Conversation, 7 Apr. 2026 Despite knowing a bit about Hood’s work, the filmmakers didn’t know much about the capital punishment. Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for capital punishment

Word History

First Known Use

1581, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of capital punishment was in 1581

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Cite this Entry

“Capital punishment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/capital%20punishment. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.

Legal Definition

capital punishment

noun
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