life sentence
noun
plural life sentences
: a sentence of imprisonment for the remainder of a convicted person's life when there is no possibility of parole or for a minimum number of years under applicable law until the convicted person becomes eligible for and is granted parole
Examples of life sentence in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Lee’s lawyers on Wednesday argued that a life sentence would be unjust given her mental health issues, but prosecutors said there was no evidence Lee was suicidal at the time of the killings, the New Zealand Herald newspaper reported.
—
Reuters 14 Hr Ago, CNN Money, 26 Nov. 2025
Prosecutors said that history contributed to their push for a life sentence, the outlet reported.
—Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 26 Nov. 2025
Anthwan's father is also serving a life sentence in prison for first degree murder.
—CBS News, 25 Nov. 2025
Prosecutors believed Chamberlain should uphold the jury’s verdict; Rocha’s public defender Stephen Reynolds asked Chamberlain to consider a life sentence, noting the jury deliberated for just 24 hours before delivering the death sentence.
—Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 25 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for life sentence
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.
Reuters 14 Hr Ago, CNN Money, 26 Nov. 2025
Prosecutors said that history contributed to their push for a life sentence, the outlet reported.
—Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 26 Nov. 2025
Anthwan's father is also serving a life sentence in prison for first degree murder.
—CBS News, 25 Nov. 2025
Prosecutors believed Chamberlain should uphold the jury’s verdict; Rocha’s public defender Stephen Reynolds asked Chamberlain to consider a life sentence, noting the jury deliberated for just 24 hours before delivering the death sentence.
—Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 25 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for life sentence
Cite this Entry
“Life sentence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/life%20sentence. Accessed 2 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share