stay of execution

noun phrase

: an order that temporarily stops an execution
The court issued a stay of execution.

Examples of stay of execution in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
On March 26, the Florida Supreme Court agreed to issue a stay of execution pending results from the testing. Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026 Texas denies stay of execution, appeal goes to SCOTUS Ricks' attorneys have asked the U.S. Supreme Court for a stay of execution, claiming prosecutors unfairly eliminated potential jurors based on race. Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 11 Mar. 2026 Ten Hag, the architect, earned a stay of execution. Carl Anka, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026 More than a year after the clock began ticking for two familiar buildings at the Boise Spectrum, a last-minute stay of execution has been granted. Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 19 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stay of execution

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stay of execution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stay%20of%20execution. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster