sentence
♦♦ sen|tence /s'entəns/ (sentences sentencing sentenced)
1 [N-COUNT]
A sentence is a group of words which, when they are written down, begin with a capital letter and end with a full stop, question mark, or exclamation mark. Most sentences contain a subject and a verb.
2 [N-VAR]
In a law court, a sentence is the punishment that a person receives after they have been found guilty of a crime.
They are already serving prison sentences for their part in the assassination...
He was given a four-year sentence...
The offences carry a maximum sentence of 10 years.
...demands for tougher sentences...
The court is expected to pass sentence later today.
see also death sentence, life sentence,
3 [VERB] V n to n, be V-ed
When a judge sentences someone, he or she states in court what their punishment will be.
A military court sentenced him to death in his absence...
He has admitted the charge and will be sentenced later.death sen|tence (death sentences)
[N-COUNT]
A death sentence is a punishment of death given by a judge to someone who has been found guilty of a serious crime such as murder.
His original death sentence was commuted to life in prison.life sen|tence (life sentences)
[N-COUNT]
If someone receives a life sentence, they are sentenced to stay in prison for the rest of their life, or for a very long period of time.
Some were serving life sentences for murder.sen|tence ad|verb (sentence adverbs)
[N-COUNT]
Adverbs such as `fortunately' and `perhaps' which apply to the whole clause, rather than to part of it, are sometimes called sentence adverbs.sus|pend|ed sen|tence (suspended sentences)
[N-COUNT]
If a criminal is given a suspended sentence, they are given a prison sentence which they have to serve if they commit another crime within a specified period of time.
John was given a four-month suspended sentence.
1 [N-COUNT]
A sentence is a group of words which, when they are written down, begin with a capital letter and end with a full stop, question mark, or exclamation mark. Most sentences contain a subject and a verb.
2 [N-VAR]
In a law court, a sentence is the punishment that a person receives after they have been found guilty of a crime.
They are already serving prison sentences for their part in the assassination...
He was given a four-year sentence...
The offences carry a maximum sentence of 10 years.
...demands for tougher sentences...
The court is expected to pass sentence later today.
see also death sentence, life sentence,
3 [VERB] V n to n, be V-ed
When a judge sentences someone, he or she states in court what their punishment will be.
A military court sentenced him to death in his absence...
He has admitted the charge and will be sentenced later.death sen|tence (death sentences)
[N-COUNT]
A death sentence is a punishment of death given by a judge to someone who has been found guilty of a serious crime such as murder.
His original death sentence was commuted to life in prison.life sen|tence (life sentences)
[N-COUNT]
If someone receives a life sentence, they are sentenced to stay in prison for the rest of their life, or for a very long period of time.
Some were serving life sentences for murder.sen|tence ad|verb (sentence adverbs)
[N-COUNT]
Adverbs such as `fortunately' and `perhaps' which apply to the whole clause, rather than to part of it, are sometimes called sentence adverbs.sus|pend|ed sen|tence (suspended sentences)
[N-COUNT]
If a criminal is given a suspended sentence, they are given a prison sentence which they have to serve if they commit another crime within a specified period of time.
John was given a four-month suspended sentence.