the death penalty

noun

: death as a punishment given by a court of law for very serious crimes : capital punishment

If convicted, he could face the death penalty.

She opposes the death penalty.

Examples of the death penalty in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The case had entered a stunning new phase as Bryan Kohberger—the man who pleaded guilty and was convicted of the mass slaying last July, avoiding a high-profile murder trial and the death penalty as part of his plea deal—reversed course. — Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 30 July 2026

In July 2025, Kohberger pleaded guilty as part of a deal that spared him the death penalty. — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 30 July 2026

The sentence has been revisited four times, including after an 11-1 jury recommendation in 1987 for the death penalty, but it was never altered. — Cbs Miami Team, CBS News, 30 July 2026

In exchange for pleading guilty to the four counts of first degree murder and a felony burglary charge—the death penalty and the right to make an appeal—were taken off the table. — Forbestv, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026