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

Recent Examples on the Web
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The 5-0 ruling also vacated the two life sentences Murdaugh had received for the murder convictions. Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 15 May 2026 Murdaugh was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences and his attorneys immediately vowed to appeal. N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 15 May 2026 Busby’s defense attorneys, Jack Strickland and Steve Gordon, argued that Busby’s poor upbringing, low IQ, learning disabilities and chronic drug and alcohol use merited a life sentence. Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 May 2026 The life sentences for each murder will run consecutively. Marlene Lenthang, ABC News, 14 May 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

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Cite this Entry

“Life sentence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/life%20sentence. Accessed 21 May. 2026.

Legal Definition

life sentence

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