death penalty

noun

: death as punishment for a crime : capital punishment

—used with the

Prosecutors recommended the death penalty.

Examples of death penalty in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The protest, organized by national anti-death penalty organizations Death Penalty Action and Worth Rise, was attended mostly by local faith leaders and members. —Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 1 Apr. 2026

Future dangerousness is one of two questions at the core of sentencing in death penalty cases. —Emerson Clarridge updated March 31, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2026

Mangione no longer faces the potential death penalty. —Michael Ruiz , Maria Paronich, FOXNews.com, 1 Apr. 2026

Smith’s case was back in Miami court in 2024 after he was granted a new death penalty sentencing hearing. —Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2026

Israel’s parliament approved death penalty by hanging for Palestinians convicted of murdering Israelis, making capital punishment the default sentence in military courts. —Julia Frankel, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026

The uncertainty has already led to the postponement of Duckett’s execution, originally set for Tuesday evening, granting him a rare reprieve amid Florida’s recent brisk pace of fulfilling death penalty sentences. —Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2026

In at least two death penalty cases, Louisiana judges found that Holland withheld evidence. —Richard A. Webster, ProPublica, 24 Mar. 2026

The proposal faces opposition from the Ohio Public Defender and death penalty opponents. —Jessie Balmert, Cincinnati Enquirer, 18 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1836, in the meaning defined above

Legal Definition

death penalty

noun

: death as punishment for a crime

called also capital punishment

see also cruel and unusual punishment, Gregg v. Georgia

Note: The U.S. Supreme Court has held that the death penalty is not inherently violative of the Eighth Amendment's prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment, provided that the method is not deemed cruel and that the punishment is not excessive in relation to the crime. A statute mandating the death penalty is unconstitutional, however. A sentencing judge is required to consider any mitigating circumstances before imposing the death penalty for a crime.