Definitions for sentence
ˈsɛn tnssen·tence

Princeton's WordNet(3.33 / 3 votes)Rate this definition:

1. sentencenoun

   a string of words satisfying the grammatical rules of a language

   "he always spoke in grammatical sentences"

2. conviction, judgment of conviction, condemnation, sentencenoun

   (criminal law) a final judgment of guilty in a criminal case and the punishment that is imposed

   "the conviction came as no surprise"

3. prison term, sentence, timeverb

   the period of time a prisoner is imprisoned

   "he served a prison term of 15 months"; "his sentence was 5 to 10 years"; "he is doing time in the county jail"

4. sentence, condemn, doomverb

   pronounce a sentence on (somebody) in a court of law

   "He was condemned to ten years in prison"

Wiktionary(3.33 / 3 votes)Rate this definition:

1. sentencenoun

   One's opinion; manner of thinking.

2. sentencenoun

   Someone's pronounced opinion or judgment on a given question.

3. sentencenoun

   The decision or judgement of a jury or court; a verdict.

   The court returned a sentence of guilt in the first charge, but innocence in the second.

4. sentencenoun

   The judicial order for a punishment to be imposed on a person convicted of a crime.

   The judge declared a sentence of death by hanging for the infamous cattle rustler.

5. sentencenoun

   A saying, especially form a great person; a maxim, an apophthegm.

6. sentencenoun

   A grammatically complete series of words consisting of a subject and predicate, even if one or the other is implied, and typically beginning with a capital letter and ending with a full stop.

   The children were made to construct sentences consisting of nouns and verbs from the list on the chalkboard.

7. sentencenoun

   A formula with no free variables.

8. sentencenoun

   Any of the set of strings that can be generated by a given formal grammar.

9. sentenceverb

   To declare a sentence on a convicted person.

   The judge sentenced the embezzler to ten years in prison, along with a hefty fine.

10. Etymology: From sentence, from sententia, from sentiens, present participle of sentire; see sentient, sense, scent.

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. SENTENCEnoun

   Etymology: sentence, French; sententia, Latin.

   1. Determination or decision, as of a judge civil or criminal.

   The rule of voluntary agents on earth is the sentence that reason giveth, concerning the goodness of those things which they are to do. Richard Hooker.

   If we have neither voice from heaven, that so pronounceth of them, neither sentence of men grounded upon such manifest and clear proof, that they, in whose hands it is to alter them, may likewise infallibly, even in heart and conscience, judge them so; upon necessity to urge alteration, is to trouble and disturb without necessity. Richard Hooker.

   How will I give sentence against them. Jer. iv. 12.

   If matter of fact breaks out with too great an evidence to be denied, why, still there are other lenitives, that friendship will apply, before it will be brought to the decretory rigours of a condemning sentence. Robert South, Sermons.

   Let him set out some of Luther’s works, that by them we may pass sentence upon his doctrines. Francis Atterbury.

   2. It is usually spoken of condemnation pronounced by the judge; doom.

   By the consent of all laws, in capital causes, the evidence must be full and clear; and if so, where one man’s life is in question, what say we to a war, which is ever the sentence of death upon many? Francis Bacon, holy War.

   What rests but that the mortal sentence pass? John Milton.

   3. A maxim; an axiom, generally moral.

   A sentence may be defined a moral instruction couched in a few words. , Notes on the Odyssey.

   4. A short paragraph; a period in writing.

   An excellent spirit, knowledge, understanding, and shewing of hard sentences were found in Daniel. Dan. v. 12.

2. To Sentenceverb

   Etymology: sentencier, Fr. from the noun.

   1. To pass the last judgment on any one.

   After this cold consid’rance, sentence me;
   And, as you are a king, speak in your state,
   What I have done that misbecame my place. William Shakespeare.

   Came the mild judge and intercessor both,
   To sentence man. John Milton.

   2. To condemn.

   Could that decree from our brother come?
   Nature herself is sentenc’d in your doom:
   Piety is no more. Dryden.

   Idleness, sentenced by the decurions, was punished by so many stripes. William Temple.

Webster Dictionary(1.67 / 3 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Sentencenoun

   sense; meaning; significance

2. Sentencenoun

   an opinion; a decision; a determination; a judgment, especially one of an unfavorable nature

3. Sentencenoun

   a philosophical or theological opinion; a dogma; as, Summary of the Sentences; Book of the Sentences

4. Sentencenoun

   in civil and admiralty law, the judgment of a court pronounced in a cause; in criminal and ecclesiastical courts, a judgment passed on a criminal by a court or judge; condemnation pronounced by a judgical tribunal; doom. In common law, the term is exclusively used to denote the judgment in criminal cases

5. Sentencenoun

   a short saying, usually containing moral instruction; a maxim; an axiom; a saw

6. Sentencenoun

   a combination of words which is complete as expressing a thought, and in writing is marked at the close by a period, or full point. See Proposition, 4

7. Sentenceverb

   to pass or pronounce judgment upon; to doom; to condemn to punishment; to prescribe the punishment of

8. Sentenceverb

   to decree or announce as a sentence

9. Sentenceverb

   to utter sententiously

10. Etymology: [F., from L. sententia, for sentientia, from sentire to discern by the senses and the mind, to feel, to think. See Sense, n., and cf. Sentiensi.]

Freebase(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Sentence

   A sentence is a grammatical unit consisting of one or more words that are grammatically linked. A sentence can include words grouped meaningfully to express a statement, question, exclamation, request, command or suggestion. A sentence can also be defined in orthographic terms alone, i.e., as anything which is contained between a capital letter and a full stop. For instance, the opening of Charles Dickens' novel Bleak House begins with the following three sentences: The first sentence involves one word, a proper noun. The second sentence has only a non-finite verb. The third is a single nominal group. Only an orthographic definition encompasses this variation. As with all language expressions, sentences might contain function and content words and contain properties distinct to natural language, such as characteristic intonation and timing patterns. Sentences are generally characterized in most languages by the presence of a finite verb, e.g. "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog".

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Sentence

   sen′tens, n. opinion: a judgment pronounced on a criminal by a court or judge: a maxim: (gram.) a number of words containing a complete thought: sense: meaning: matter.—v.t. to pronounce judgment on: to condemn.—n. Sen′tencer, one who sentences.—adj. Senten′tial, pertaining to a sentence: comprising sentences.—adv. Senten′tially.—adj. Senten′tious, abounding with sentences or maxims: short and pithy in expression: bombastic, or affected in speech.—adv. Senten′tiously.—n. Senten′tiousness, brevity with strength.—Master of the Sentences, the great 12th-century schoolman, Peter Lombard (died 1160), from his work Sententiarum Libri IV., an arranged collection of sentences from Augustine, &c. [Fr.,—L. sententia—sentīre, to feel.]

Military Dictionary and Gazetteer(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. sentence

   Decision, determination, final judgment. There is an appeal allowed from the sentence of a regimental court-martial to the opinion of a general one.

Matched Categories

1. • String Of Words

British National Corpus

1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'sentence' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #1838

2. Written Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'sentence' in Written Corpus Frequency: #1766

3. Nouns Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'sentence' in Nouns Frequency: #551

4. Verbs Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'sentence' in Verbs Frequency: #927

How to pronounce sentence?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say sentence in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of sentence in Chaldean Numerology is: 8

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of sentence in Pythagorean Numerology is: 4

Examples of sentence in a Sentence

1. Mary McNamara:

   This is really a case about what the appropriate sentence should be, and here is a young guy who is immature, said some stupid things online, and the FBI sent out their best people to try to get a sting operation going.

2. Mark Allenbaugh:

   This was still a very substantial sentence, especially for a non-violent, first-time offender of his age.

3. Carl Tobias:

   I don't have the impression that Parnell set out to kill people, he just ran his business in a way that caused a lot of injury and some deaths. The sentence was appropriate and maybe it should have been stiffer.

4. Lisa Smittcamp:

   His life sentence remains relevant today - 35 years later -because he still can not begin to explain why he took Mike’s life, and why he did so in a depraved and indifferent manner.

5. Duncan Levin:

   Clare Bronfman expected to be punished for what Clare Bronfman pleaded guilty to, but Clare Bronfman conduct merits a far lower sentence, despite press reports to the contrary, the court did find that Clare Bronfman did not fund a sex cult. Clare Bronfman intends to mount a vigorous and immediate appeal.

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