death penalty

noun

: death as punishment for a crime : capital punishment

—used with the

Prosecutors recommended the death penalty.

Examples of death penalty in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The head of the agency that botched the execution of Christa Pike was brought to Tennessee three years ago to save the state’s death penalty. — New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026

The forensic pathologist who performed the autopsy on Alberto Sierra’s estranged wife and her two young daughters detailed on Friday their torturous final moments, testifying during Sierra’s death penalty trial. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026

Most death penalty states allow a few members of the media to witness executions on behalf of the public. — Rebecca Boone, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026

This story describes the lethal injection procedure used in a death penalty. — Catherine Sweeney, NPR, 30 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1836, in the meaning defined above

Legal Definition

death penalty

noun

: death as punishment for a crime

called also capital punishment

see also cruel and unusual punishment, Gregg v. Georgia

Note: The U.S. Supreme Court has held that the death penalty is not inherently violative of the Eighth Amendment's prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment, provided that the method is not deemed cruel and that the punishment is not excessive in relation to the crime. A statute mandating the death penalty is unconstitutional, however. A sentencing judge is required to consider any mitigating circumstances before imposing the death penalty for a crime.