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
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In February 2026, he was given two consecutive life sentences along with an additional 45 years behind bars, according to Fox 5 Atlanta. Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 2 May 2026 On top of the life sentence handed down Friday, Stanko was also sentenced to an additional 42 to 84 months for his conviction on charges of reckless burning. Patrick Damp, CBS News, 1 May 2026 The most serious count carries a potential life sentence if convicted. Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 30 Apr. 2026 Nice job by Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz and her staff in getting basically a life sentence for the piece of garbage who murdered hero police officer Jonathan Diller. Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for life sentence

Word History

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of life sentence was in 1817

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Cite this Entry

“Life sentence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/life%20sentence. Accessed 5 May. 2026.

Legal Definition

life sentence

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