sentence
In linguistics, the term evokes a sense of structural completeness and a pause in breath or thought. It is the fundamental unit of written communication, acting as a container for a single, coherent idea. This usage is neutral and technical, appearing in every level of formality from primary school classrooms to academic journals. In a legal context, the word shifts from a tool of communication to a tool of authority and consequence. It carries a heavy, somber weight, representing the finality of a judicial decision. While a linguistic sentence can be edited or rewritten, a legal sentence is an official decree that alters a person's freedom or status, imbuing the word with a feeling of inevitability and gravity.
Countable for both a string of words in a book and a specific judicial punishment given to a convict.
Meanings
A set of words that is complete in itself, typically containing a subject and predicate, conveying a statement, question, exclamation, or command.
"The teacher asked the student to write a sentence using the word "perplexed.""
The punishment assigned to a defendant found guilty by a court, typically in a criminal case.
"The judge handed down a life sentence without the possibility of parole."
To declare the punishment decided for an offender.
"The court sentenced the thief to six months of community service."
Examples
Please write a complete sentence on the chalkboard.
The judge passed a harsh sentence on the defendant.
The magistrate sentenced the perpetrator to ten years in prison.
Phrasal Verbs
sentence to
to officially assign a specific punishment to someone
The defendant was sentenced to ten years in prison.