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
The prosecution, to many observers’ surprise, requested a life sentence for Yamagami instead of the death penalty.
—
E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
Orange County Superior Court Judge Kimberly Menninger tacked on an additional year to the life sentence.
—City News Service, Oc Register, 25 Jan. 2026
While Mitchell is currently serving a life sentence in prison, a judge ruled in 2018 that Barzee could be released from prison.
—Stephanie Kaloi, PEOPLE, 22 Jan. 2026
While Mitchell is still serving his federal life sentence, Barzee was released from prison in 2018.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for life sentence
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E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
Orange County Superior Court Judge Kimberly Menninger tacked on an additional year to the life sentence.
—City News Service, Oc Register, 25 Jan. 2026
While Mitchell is currently serving a life sentence in prison, a judge ruled in 2018 that Barzee could be released from prison.
—Stephanie Kaloi, PEOPLE, 22 Jan. 2026
While Mitchell is still serving his federal life sentence, Barzee was released from prison in 2018.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for life sentence
Cite this Entry
“Life sentence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/life%20sentence. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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