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

Relatives of the Hortmans blasted the Department of Justice for not seeking the death penalty and said politics were at play. — Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 23 July 2026

The Hortman’s family expressed anger that prosecutors did not pursue the death penalty. — Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 23 July 2026

The sentence was part of a plea deal that allowed Boelter to avoid the death penalty. — Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 23 July 2026

Biden opposed the death penalty and, as president, called on Congress to formally abolish it. — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 22 July 2026