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
Kohberger took a plea deal in July, avoiding the death penalty in exchange for a life sentence.
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Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 10 Jan. 2026
On Thursday, a New Jersey judge ordered Austin to a life sentence with no possibility for parole.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 9 Jan. 2026
Yang is serving a life sentence.
—Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
At issue in Williams’ case was whether his 50-year-to-life sentence was essentially equal to life without parole.
—Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for life sentence
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Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 10 Jan. 2026
On Thursday, a New Jersey judge ordered Austin to a life sentence with no possibility for parole.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 9 Jan. 2026
Yang is serving a life sentence.
—Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
At issue in Williams’ case was whether his 50-year-to-life sentence was essentially equal to life without parole.
—Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 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 12 Jan. 2026.
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