sentence
Grammar. a grammatical unit of one or more words that expresses an independent statement, question, request, command, exclamation, etc., and that typically has a subject as well as a predicate, as in John is here. or Is John here? In print or writing, a sentence typically begins with a capital letter and ends with appropriate punctuation; in speech it displays recognizable, communicative intonation patterns and is often marked by preceding and following pauses.
Law.
an authoritative decision; a judicial judgment or decree, especially the judicial determination of the punishment to be inflicted on a convicted criminal: Knowledgeable sources say that the judge will announce the sentence early next week.
the punishment itself; term: a three-year sentence.
Music. a complete idea, usually consisting of eight to sixteen measures; period (def. 18). : See also phrase (def. 4).
Archaic. a saying, apothegm, or maxim.
Obsolete. an opinion given on a particular question.
to pronounce sentence upon; condemn to punishment: The judge sentenced her to six months in jail.
Origin of sentence
1Grammar notes for sentence
In everyday speech we routinely use phrases or clauses that would not make a complete sentence—so-called sentence fragments —because the conversation or the circumstances make the meaning clear. For example, we might answer a question like “Where did you go?” with “To the store,” or “Why can’t I stay out till midnight?” with “Because I say so,” or “What are you doing?” with “Trying to fix this toaster,” instead of “I went to the store,” “You can't stay out that late because I say so,” or “I am trying to fix this toaster.” In written dialogue sentence fragments are perfectly acceptable. They would generally be regarded as sentences simply because they begin with a capital letter and end with a suitable punctuation mark. But they are not sentences in a strict grammatical sense. And as a rule, sentence fragments are frowned upon in formal or expository writing. They can be useful—indeed, powerful—but in such writing they are effective only if used sparingly, in order to achieve a deliberate special effect: We will not give up fighting for this cause. Not now. Not ever.
Other words from sentence
- sen·tenc·er, noun
- pre·sen·tence, verb (used with object), pre·sen·tenced, pre·sen·tenc·ing.
- re·sen·tence, noun, verb (used with object), re·sen·tenced, re·sen·tenc·ing.
- un·sen·tenced, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use sentence in a sentence
Asia Bibi, as she is known, was arrested and sentenced to death.
And only 1.6 percent of the cases led to someone being arrested and sentenced.
Why Mexicans Are Enraged by Obama’s Big Tuesday Meeting | Ruben Navarrette Jr. | January 6, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTIn the summer of 2014, they both were sentenced to 4-1/2 years in a labor camp.
Behind Bars for the Holidays: 11 Political Prisoners We Want to See Free In 2015 | Movements.Org | December 25, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTKrivov was sentenced to serve four years at a general regime penal colony for his fight for freedom and human rights.
Behind Bars for the Holidays: 11 Political Prisoners We Want to See Free In 2015 | Movements.Org | December 25, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTIn 2011, he was arrested while visiting his grandmother in Iran, charged with espionage, and sentenced to death.
An American Marine in Iran’s Prisons Goes on Hunger Strike | IranWire | December 18, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Three men were sentenced to grow potatoes at Botany Bay the rest of their lives.
Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham | Thomas T. Harman and Walter ShowellA man who was sentenced to be hung was visited by his wife, who said: "My dear, would you like the children to see you executed?"
The Book of Anecdotes and Budget of Fun; | VariousMany a spy of the Kaiser had tried to pry there and had been arrested and sentenced to a long term of imprisonment.
The Doctor of Pimlico | William Le QueuxHe was brought to trial for it and sentenced to five years' imprisonment.
Repertory Of The Comedie Humaine, Complete, A -- Z | Anatole Cerfberr and Jules Franois ChristopheFor this outrage they were sentenced to lie 24 hours with their heads and feet tied together.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology | Joel Munsell
British Dictionary definitions for sentence
/ (ˈsɛntəns) /
a sequence of words capable of standing alone to make an assertion, ask a question, or give a command, usually consisting of a subject and a predicate containing a finite verb
the judgment formally pronounced upon a person convicted in criminal proceedings, esp the decision as to what punishment is to be imposed
an opinion, judgment, or decision
music another word for period (def. 11)
any short passage of scripture employed in liturgical use: the funeral sentences
logic a well-formed expression, without variables
archaic a proverb, maxim, or aphorism
(tr) to pronounce sentence on (a convicted person) in a court of law: the judge sentenced the murderer to life imprisonment
Origin of sentence
1Derived forms of sentence
- sentential (sɛnˈtɛnʃəl), adjective
- sententially, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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