sentence

Pronunciation

• IPA ^(key): /ˈsɛntəns/
• SAMPA: /"sEnt@ns/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Noun

Singular sentence

Plural sentences

1. (countable) (grammar) In grammar, a sentence is a group of words that follow normal grammar rules, and that, in writing, begins with a capital letter and ends with a period '.', question mark '?', or exclamation mark '!'. Usually a sentence has a subject, verb, and object.

   The first sentence in the Jewish holy book is, "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth."

2. (countable) (law) In law, a sentence is the punishment that a judge gives to a criminal.

   He received a 15-year sentence for the murder of his friend.

Verb

Plain form sentence

Third-person singular sentences

Past tense sentenced

Past participle sentenced

Present participle sentencing

1. (transitive) (law) If a judge sentences someone, they decide on a punishment for a crime.

   He was sentenced to 15 years in jail for the murder of his friend.