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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

The state is conducting an independent investigation into its death penalty system and what happened to Pike. — Jeffrey Collins, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2026 In 2023, Taylor sponsored a law that transferred the power to review certain death penalty cases from county prosecutors, who are elected, to the state attorney general, who is appointed by the state Supreme Court. — Wendi C. Thomas, ProPublica, 26 Oct. 2026 Burks personally prosecuted five capital murder death penalty cases during her time at the district attorney’s office. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026 Sierra himself did not take the stand in his death penalty trial. — Cbs Miami Team, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for death penalty

Word History

First Known Use

1836, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of death penalty was in 1836

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death metal

death penalty

death penny

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Style

“Death penalty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/death%20penalty. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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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.

death penalty

noun

Examples of death penalty in a Sentence

Word History

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Cite this Entry

Legal Definition

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