sentences

7 definitions • 10 examples

a group of words, usually containing a verb, that expresses a thought in the form of a statement, question, instruction, or exclamation and starts with a capital letter when written:

He's very impatient and always interrupts me mid-sentence.

Your conclusion is good, but the final sentence is too long and complicated.

a punishment given by a judge in court to a person or organization after they have been found guilty of doing something wrong:

He got a heavy/light sentence (= he was severely/not severely punished).

The offence carries a jail/prison/life/five-year sentence.

He was given a non-custodial/suspended sentence.

(of a judge) to say officially what a punishment will be:

pronounce sentence on The judge will pronounce sentence on the defendant this afternoon.

to decide and say officially what a punishment will be:

He was sentenced to life imprisonment.

a group of words, usually containing a subject and a verb, expressing a statement, question, instruction, or exclamation, and, when written, starting with a capital letter and ending with a period or other mark:

Your sentences are too long and complicated.

a punishment given by a law court to a person or organization that is guilty of a crime:

She served a three-year prison sentence.

to officially state the punishment given by a law court to a guilty person or organization:

He was sentenced to three years in jail and fined $40,000.