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

Japan has faced growing criticism over its use of the death penalty, as a majority of the international community has abolished capital punishment. — CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026

His appeals up to the top court were rejected in 2016 by a Supreme Court decision upholding the death penalty. — ABC News, 21 Aug. 2026

He was briefly granted a new penalty phase, but the Florida Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty in 2018 because Silvia had previously waived his post-conviction appeals. — David Fischer, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2026

Federal prosecutors initially charged Mangione with murder through the use of a firearm and sought the death penalty. — Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026