capital punishment

[kap-i-tl puhn-ish-muhnt]

noun

1. punishment by death for a crime; death penalty.

capital punishment

noun

1. the punishment of death for a crime; death penalty

capital punishment

¹

1. The death penalty for a crime.

capital punishment

²

1. The infliction of the death penalty as punishment for certain crimes. (See capital offense.)

In the United States, capital punishment has been an extremely controversial issue on legal, moral, and ethical grounds. In 1972, the Supreme Court ruled that the death penalty was not, in principle, cruel and unusual punishment (and not, therefore, unconstitutional), but that its implementation through existing state laws was unconstitutional. In 1976, the Supreme Court again ruled that the death penalty was not unconstitutional, though a mandatory death penalty for any crime was. Thirty-nine states now practice the death penalty.

Word History and Origins

Origin of capital punishment¹

First recorded in 1575–85

Example Sentences

International law restricts capital punishment to only the "most serious crimes".

From BBC

The prospect of capital punishment means that prosecutors will need to show intent to commit murder when they press their case in court.

From BBC

As California Democratic Party chair from 2009 to 2017, he presided as the party changed its platform to oppose capital punishment.

From Los Angeles Times

The death penalty, however, can only be used if the jury agrees, posing a potential challenge in a city in which most residents are opposed to capital punishment.

From BBC

The U.S. directed prosecutors to not seek capital punishment for three reputed drug lords, including one in a DEA agent’s killing, court filings show.

From Los Angeles Times