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
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In addition to the life sentence for murder, Crumpton was sentenced to five years in prison on another charge, to be served concurrently. Christopher Harris, CBS News, 18 Dec. 2025 As a result, police charged Maher with arson without intent to kill, a charge that carried a potential life sentence if found guilty, according to The New York Times. Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 18 Dec. 2025 While first-degree murder carries a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole, Freniere could stack the sentences for the lesser charges consecutively. Lauren Del Valle, CNN Money, 17 Dec. 2025 In what will now proceed as a murder investigation, the younger Reiner is being held without bail, facing impending arraignment and a possible double homicide charge, which, if found guilty, would constitute a life sentence without parole. Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 15 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for life sentence

Word History

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of life sentence was in 1817

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Cite this Entry

“Life sentence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/life%20sentence. Accessed 26 Dec. 2025.

Legal Definition

life sentence

see sentence

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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