death penalty

noun

: death as punishment for a crime : capital punishment

—used with the

Prosecutors recommended the death penalty.

Examples of death penalty in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Law & Courts A failed execution in Tennessee and plans to livestream a firing squad are recharging America’s death penalty debate, raising questions about morality and justice. — Patrik Jonsson, Christian Science Monitor, 10 Oct. 2026

Idaho’s death penalty history In the prosecution of Siira’s death, state attorneys are making the rare decision in Idaho to seek the death penalty for a female murder defendant. — Idaho Statesman, 9 Oct. 2026

Tennessee’s secrecy law is extremely broad, but no more so than many other death penalty states. — Maya Foa, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026

The federal government typically uses lethal injection for civilian death penalty cases. — Senior Editor, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1836, in the meaning defined above

Legal Definition

death penalty

noun

: death as punishment for a crime

called also capital punishment

see also cruel and unusual punishment, Gregg v. Georgia

Note: The U.S. Supreme Court has held that the death penalty is not inherently violative of the Eighth Amendment's prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment, provided that the method is not deemed cruel and that the punishment is not excessive in relation to the crime. A statute mandating the death penalty is unconstitutional, however. A sentencing judge is required to consider any mitigating circumstances before imposing the death penalty for a crime.