WordGarden.iosentence
A1Pronunciation
UK
- /sˈɛntəns/
US
- /ˈsɛntəns/
Meanings
Noun
a set of words that forms a complete statement, question, or command
the punishment a court officially gives to someone convicted of a crime
Verb
to officially punish someone by giving them a court-ordered penalty
Beyond the definition
A sentence is not just something a judge gives someone in court. Most often, it means a group of words that expresses a complete thought, like the line you are reading right now. But it also has a legal meaning: it can be the punishment given to someone who has been found guilty of a crime. You write sentences in everyday language, and a judge gives a sentence in court.
Consider this: "The dog chased the ball." That's a sentence! But so is, "He received a five-year sentence for his crime." See? Two very different worlds, all wrapped up in one word.
The word "sentence" has two main meanings, and both connect to the idea of something being complete. The most common meaning is a grammatical unit: a group of words that expresses a complete thought. It can be short and simple, like "Birds fly," or longer and more detailed. A sentence is one of the basic parts of writing and speech. It helps us share ideas, tell stories, ask questions, and give information. In this sense, it is a thought put into words in a complete way.
However, "sentence" also has a legal meaning: the punishment a court gives to someone convicted of a crime. This might be a fine, community service, or time in jail or prison. In this context, "to sentence" means to officially state the punishment for the crime. The length and seriousness of a sentence depend on things like the crime itself, the person's past record, and the law.
Interestingly, both meanings share a root in the Latin word sententia, meaning "opinion" or "thought." A grammatical sentence expresses a thought, while a legal sentence represents the court's considered judgment on an offense.
So whether you are writing a sentence in an essay or hearing about a sentence given in court, the word points to something finished: a complete thought or a completed legal decision.
Examples
- 1
Grammar practice
Please answer each question in one complete sentence.
- 2
Opening line
The opening sentence of the article immediately caught my attention.
- 3
Speech interruption
He stopped halfway through the sentence because he couldn't remember her name.
- 4
Conversation help
I was about to explain, but Nina finished my sentence for me.
- Phrasefinish someone's sentence
say the rest of what they were going to say
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Brief summary
If you had to describe the trip in one sentence, what would you say?
- Phrasein one sentence
very briefly
- 6
Legal punishment
The judge gave him a two-year sentence.
- 7
Prison punishment
She's serving a long sentence for fraud.
- Phraseserve a sentence
spend that period being punished, usually in prison
- 8
Court decision
He was sentenced to community service instead of jail.
- Patternsentence someone to + punishment
officially decide that punishment
See also
Similar
- grammatical unit
- complete thought
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Do not confuse
- sentence in law
Used with (collocations)
- write a sentence
- complete sentence
- sentence structure
- run-on sentence
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- sentencenounverb
Forms
- sentencespluralnounverb
- sentencedpast tenseverbnoun
- sentencing-ing formverbnoun