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

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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.
As well as the life sentence, Hui was also ordered to forfeit his personal assets and was stripped of all political rights, China’s official Xinhua news agency reported, citing a verdict handed down by a court in the southern metropolis of Shenzhen. — Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026 The 28-year-old from a wealthy Maryland family faces potential life sentences as courts weigh double jeopardy claims. — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026 Hemphill faces 27 years to life, plus another 10 years to be served consecutively to his current 60-years-to-life sentence, according to the District Attorney’s Office. — Bay City News, Mercury News, 15 Aug. 2026 Millions of people were arrested for possessing and selling marijuana and hundreds of thousands were incarcerated, some receiving life sentences. — Bob Woods, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for life sentence

Word History

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of life sentence was in 1817

Rhymes for life sentence

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Browse Nearby Words

life scout
life sentence
life-size
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Cite this Entry

“Life sentence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/life%20sentence. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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Legal Definition

life sentence

see also:
sentence
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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