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

Beth Carpenter, a former attorney serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole for orchestrating the 1994 murder-for-hire of her brother-in-law in a case that made national headlines, is asking a judge to reconsider her sentence. — Greg Smith, Hartford Courant, 8 Sep. 2026

As a result, the court unanimously overturned his 2023 convictions and two life sentences. — Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 8 Sep. 2026

In a rare public statement since criminal proceedings against the singer began, the Rivas Hernandez family asked Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman to pursue the death penalty against D4vd as opposed to a life sentence if convicted. — Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 7 Sep. 2026

From Minnesota and Indiana to California and Florida, people across the nation who killed others while speeding are now facing charges that carry life sentences. — Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for life sentence

• presentence
• repentance

Legal Definition

life sentence

see also:

sentence