sentence

Universal Words 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 (.), a question mark (?) or an EXCLAMATION mark (!). 2 [C,U] the punishment given by a court of law: 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. seealsoDEATHSENTENCE, LIFESENTENCE verb [oftenpassive] ~ sb (to sth) to say officially in a court of law that sb is to receive a particular punishment: [VN] to be sentenced to death / life imprisonment / three years in prison [also VNtoinf]