death sentence

noun

1

: a sentence condemning a convicted defendant to death

2

: an affliction or a situation that is considered to be fatal

also : a prognosis of death

Examples of death sentence in a Sentence

She received a death sentence for the murders.

Recent Examples on the Web

The jury subsequently recommended that Scott receive the death sentence. — Emma Banks, PEOPLE, 21 July 2026

In 2020, the California Supreme Court overturned the death sentence, finding that the jury had been improperly screened for bias against capital punishment. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 18 July 2026

Scott's death sentence was commuted to life in prison after several appeals, but the 53-year-old has remained behind bars despite questions about the circumstantial evidence presented by the prosecution during the trial. — Erin Jensen, USA Today, 17 July 2026

Her brothers, Hadi and Fazlollah, are just two of many political prisoners whom the Islamic Republic of Iran gave the death sentence. — Sophia Saifi, CNN Money, 16 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1655, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for death sentence

• presentence
• repentance

Legal Definition

death sentence

see also:

sentence