death penalty

/ˌdɛθ ˈpɛnəlti/

/dɛθ ˈpɛnəlti/

Other forms: death penalties

Definitions of death penalty

1. noun

   putting a condemned person to death
   synonyms: capital punishment, executing, execution

   types:

   burning, burning at the stake

   execution by fire

   hanging

   a form of capital punishment; victim is suspended by the neck from a gallows or gibbet until dead

   burning, electrocution

   execution by electricity

   beheading, decapitation

   execution by cutting off the victim's head

   crucifixion

   the act of executing by a method widespread in the ancient world; the victim's hands and feet are bound or nailed to a cross

   auto-da-fe

   the burning to death of heretics (as during the Spanish Inquisition)

   type of:

   corporal punishment

   the infliction of physical injury on someone convicted of committing a crime