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

While an 0-2 start isn’t necessarily a death sentence, the road becomes a lot more difficult. — Kansas City Star, 18 Sep. 2026

Two of the jurors in Lee's case recently spoke out about his death sentence. — Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2026

The Georgia Supreme Court has jurisdiction over the new appeal because the case involves a death sentence, the filing states. — Christopher Harris, CBS News, 15 Sep. 2026

Rather than helping my family heal, Dylann Roof’s death sentence has done the opposite. — Sharon Risher, New York Daily News, 15 Sep. 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