Sentence

How it is used

Judges 'pass', 'impose' or 'hand down' a sentence; offenders 'receive' and 'serve' it. The verb pattern is 'sentence someone to': 'She was sentenced to three years'. Lawyers talk about 'a lenient sentence', 'a harsh sentence' and 'a custodial sentence' (prison).

Example sentences

1. The judge will pass sentence on Friday.

2. He was sentenced to four years in prison for robbery.

3. The victim's family said the sentence was too short.

Common collocations

• pass sentence
• sentenced to
• serve a sentence
• prison sentence
• lenient sentence

Related terms

• verdictThe decision at the end of a trial on whether the defendant is guilty or not guilty, especially the decision of a jury.
• serve a sentenceTo spend the period of punishment that a court has ordered, especially time in prison.
• life sentenceThe most severe prison sentence in many countries, given for very serious crimes such as murder; it does not always mean the person stays in prison until death.
• suspended sentenceA prison sentence that the offender does not have to serve unless they commit another offence or break certain conditions during a set period.
• mitigating circumstancesFacts about an offence or offender that make the crime less serious or the offender less to blame, and so can lead to a lighter sentence.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

• sentence · Linguistics & Grammar

More terms: Sentencing & Punishment

• fine
• imprisonment
• community service
• aggravating factor