sentence - Dictionary Definition : Vocabulary.com

A sentence can be a group of words that communicate a complete thought, or it can be the punishment in a criminal case. Did your pen pal write a sentence or two about the length of his sentence?

Actually, both meanings of sentence — words and punishment — are linked, coming from the Latin sententia, meaning "thought or judgment," derived from the verb sentire, "to feel or perceive." If you put some words before a period, you should give some thought to your sentence. If you receive a lengthy prison sentence, you will certainly feel it.

PRIMARY MEANINGS OF: sentence

1	n	a string of words satisfying the grammatical rules of a language
2	n v	(criminal law) a final judgment of guilty in a criminal case and the punishment that is imposed pronounce a sentence on (somebody) in a court of law

FULL DEFINITIONS OF: sentence

1

n a string of words satisfying the grammatical rules of a language

“he always spoke in grammatical sentences”

Types:: show 12 types...; hide 12 types...; simple sentence
a sentence having no coordinate clauses or subordinate clauses; complex sentence
a sentence composed of at least one main clause and one subordinate clause; compound sentence
a sentence composed of at least two coordinate independent clauses; declarative sentence, declaratory sentence
a sentence (in the indicative mood) that makes a declaration; run-on sentence
an ungrammatical sentence in which two or more independent clauses are conjoined without a conjunction; topic sentence
a sentence that states the topic of its paragraph; interrogation, interrogative, interrogative sentence, question
a sentence of inquiry that asks for a reply; loose sentence
a complex sentence in which the main clause comes first and the subordinate clause follows; periodic sentence
a complex sentence in which the main clause comes last and is preceded by the subordinate clause; cross-question
a question asked in cross-examination; leading question
a question phrased in such a way as to suggest the desired answer; a lawyer may ask leading questions on cross-examination; yes-no question
a question that can be answered by yes or no

Type of:: linguistic string, string of words, word string
a linear sequence of words as spoken or written

2

n (criminal law) a final judgment of guilty in a criminal case and the punishment that is imposed

Synonyms:: condemnation, conviction, judgment of conviction

Antonyms:: acquittal
a judgment of not guilty

Types:: murder conviction
conviction for murder; rape conviction
conviction for rape; robbery conviction
conviction for robbery

Type of:: final decision, final judgment
a judgment disposing of the case before the court; after the judgment (or an appeal from it) is rendered all that remains is to enforce the judgment

n the period of time a prisoner is imprisoned

“his sentence was 5 to 10 years”

Synonyms:: prison term, time

Types:: hard time
a term served in a maximum security prison; life, life sentence
a prison term lasting as long as the prisoner lives

Type of:: term
a limited period of time

v pronounce a sentence on (somebody) in a court of law

Synonyms:: condemn, doom

Types:: foredoom
doom beforehand; reprobate
abandon to eternal damnation

Type of:: declare
state emphatically and authoritatively