English · Culture & Society
sentence
/ˈsen.təns/
[/ˈsen.təns/]
punishment; group of words
Beginnernoun
Definition
The punishment given to a convicted criminal by a court, or a grammatically complete group of words. The two meanings share a Latin root.
Example
The judge handed down a ten-year sentence for the serious financial fraud.
The judge handed down a ten-year sentence for the serious financial fraud.
Etymology
From Old French 'sentence', from Latin 'sententia' (opinion, judgment), from 'sentire' (to feel).
How & Where It’s Used
Used in law and in grammar.