/ ˈsentəns; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
1.
[ C ] ( grammar ) a set of words expressing a statement, a question or an order, usually containing a subject and a verb. In written English sentences begin with a capital letter and end with a full stop / period (.), a question mark (?) or an exclamation mark / exclamation point (!).
2.
[ C , U ] the punishment given by a court :
a jail / prison sentence
a light / heavy sentence
to be under sentence of death
The judge passed sentence (= said what the punishment would be) .
The prisoner has served (= completed) his sentence and will be released tomorrow.
—see also death sentence , life sentence
■ verb
[ often passive ] sentence sb (to sth) to say officially in court that sb is to receive a particular punishment :
[ vn ]
to be sentenced to death / life imprisonment / three years in prison
[also vn to inf ]
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English (in the senses way of thinking, opinion , court's declaration of punishment , and gist (of a piece of writing) ): via Old French from Latin sententia opinion, from sentire feel, be of the opinion.