death row

American  

noun

1. a row of prison cells for prisoners awaiting execution.

---

death row British  

noun

1. the part of a prison where those sentenced to death are confined

---

Etymology

Origin of death row

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

In 1995, Penn was lured back to the screen by friend Tim Robbins, earning his first Oscar nomination for the death row tale "Dead Man Walking."

From Barron's • Mar. 16, 2026

While searching for story ideas, news cameraman Rhys Williams came across an article entitled: 'Welshman on death row.'

From BBC • Mar. 10, 2026

And, at the prison that used to hold death row, incarcerated people are able to see the San Francisco Bay from a new education center that’s meant to help them prepare for life outside.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 8, 2026

South Korea's disgraced former president Yoon Suk Yeol could be banished to death row on February 19 when he fronts court over his disastrous bid to impose martial law.

From Barron's • Feb. 16, 2026

That they were giving an award named after a beloved prime minister who had been tragically murdered by a deranged man to someone who represented people on death row revealed a lot about their values.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson