What does "sentence" mean?
The decision or judgement of a jury or court; a verdict.
Sentence
/ˈsɛntəns/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The decision or judgement of a jury or court; a verdict.
- Grammar: sentence is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: conviction, acquittal, act on, action.
- Useful contrasts: interj, common phrases in portuguese, language unit.
- Usage evidence: The convicted drug dealer was willing to comply with the authorities to have his death sentence reduced to a life sentence.
How to use "sentence"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "sentence" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "sentence" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "sentence" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "sentence" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "sentence" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "conviction" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "sentence", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The decision or judgement of a jury or court; a verdict. dated
"The court returned a sentence of guilt in the first charge, but innocence in the second."
- 2 (criminal law) a final judgment of guilty in a criminal case and the punishment that is imposed wordnet
- 3 The judicial order for a punishment to be imposed on a person convicted of a crime.
"The judge declared a sentence of death by hanging for the infamous child rapist."
- 4 a string of words satisfying the grammatical rules of a language wordnet
- 5 A punishment imposed on a person convicted of a crime.
Show 8 more definitions
- 6 the period of time a prisoner is imprisoned wordnet
- 7 A saying, especially from a great person; a maxim, an apophthegm. obsolete
"Men (saith an ancient Greek sentence) are tormented by the opinions they have of things, and not by things themselves."
- 8 A grammatically complete series of words consisting of a subject and predicate, even if one or the other is implied. In modern writing, when using e.g. the Latin, Greek or Cyrillic alphabets, typically beginning with a capital letter and ending with a full stop or other punctuation.
"Near-synonym: clause"
- 9 A formula with no free variables.
- 10 Any of the set of strings that can be generated by a given formal grammar.
- 11 Sense; meaning; significance. obsolete
"Noght o word spak he moore than was neede, / And that was seyd in forme and reverence / And short and quyk and ful of hy sentence […]"
- 12 One's opinion; manner of thinking. obsolete
"My sentence is for open war."
- 13 A pronounced opinion or judgment on a given question. archaic
"[I]f it may bee lawfull to iudge or giue any ſentence thereof, it [the author of the book of Ruth] was either Samuell, or ſome other godly Prophet vnder the raigne of Saule, [...]"
Verb
- 1 To declare a sentence on a convicted person; to condemn to punishment. transitive
"The judge sentenced the embezzler to ten years in prison, along with a hefty fine."
- 2 pronounce a sentence on (somebody) in a court of law wordnet
- 3 To decree, announce, or pass as a sentence. especially, poetic
"“We are empowered to deliver thee to prison; yea, the law commands us to sentence death upon the abettors of this mischief.[…]""
- 4 To utter sententiously. obsolete
"Let me heare one wise man sentence it, rather then twenty Fooles, garrulous in their lengthened tattle."
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"The convicted drug dealer was willing to comply with the authorities to have his death sentence reduced to a life sentence."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "sentence"?
Common synonyms include: conviction, acquittal, act on, action, adage, address.
How do you use "sentence" in a sentence?
The convicted drug dealer was willing to comply with the authorities to have his death sentence reduced to a life sentence.
How do you pronounce "sentence"?
Pronounced /ˈsɛntəns/.
Etymology
Borrowed from Middle French sentence, from Latin sententia (“way of thinking, opinion, sentiment”), from sentiēns, present participle of sentiō (“to feel, think”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *sent- (“to feel”).