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

Like other death row dramas including Clemency, Just Mercy and Dead Man Walking, this film questions whether there’s really that big a difference between murderous cruelty and state-sanctioned capital punishment. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 17 Sep. 2026

Nelson doesn’t provide easy answers here or appear to attempt to make this film an advertisement for abolishment of capital punishment. — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 14 Sep. 2026

Even the most reflexive of answers are fringed with doubt, which to my mind is reason enough to ban the practice of capital punishment. — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 13 Sep. 2026

Hochman recently reiterated that his office has not decided whether to pursue capital punishment or seek the alternative maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1581, in the meaning defined above

Legal Definition

capital punishment

noun

: death penalty