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

Without an underlying violent crime, the federal murder charge that depends on it should be thrown out entirely — and the potential death penalty with it, according to Mangione's lawyers. —Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 21 Jan. 2026

Braddy was on Death Row from 2007 to 2017, until he was granted a new sentencing due to constitutional issues surrounding the state’s death penalty. —Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 20 Jan. 2026

But the murder investigation was flawed and incomplete, and eventually, Ellis’ case was a catalyst for abolishing Britain’s death penalty. —Lauren Frayer, NPR, 19 Jan. 2026

Prosecutors are seeking death penalty for rebellion charges; a court will decide in February, though legal experts predict life imprisonment instead of execution. —Hyung-Jin Kim, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2026

No matter what the circumstances, ICE is no more sacrosanct than any other law enforcement agency, and there’s no death penalty for civil disobedience. —Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 14 Jan. 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.