sen‧tence 1 S1 W2 / sent ə ns / 名词 [可数名词]

1 a group of words that usually contains a subject and a 动词 , and expresses a complete idea. Sentences written in English begin with a capital letter and usually end with a full stop or a question mark :

His voice dropped at the end of the sentence.

in a sentence

It’s difficult to sum it up in one sentence.

short/simple/full/complex etc sentence

In a few short sentences, Quinn explained what he had done.

2 a punishment that a judge gives to someone who is guilty of a crime :

She received an eight-year prison sentence.

He has just begun a life sentence for murder.

COLLOCATIONS

动词

get/receive a sentence ( also be given a sentence ) She was given a three-year prison sentence.

face a sentence (= be likely to receive a sentence ) He faces a long prison sentence if he is caught.

serve a sentence (= spend time in prison ) Her husband is serving a two-year sentence for credit-card fraud.

a crime carries a sentence (= that is the punishment for that crime ) Rape should carry an automatic life sentence.

impose/hand down a sentence (= officially give someone a sentence ) The judge imposed a three-year sentence.

pass sentence formal (= officially say what someone’s punishment will be ) It is now my duty to pass sentence.

ADJECTIVES/NOUN + sentence

a stiff/long sentence (= a long time in prison ) Police officers are demanding stiffer sentences for offenders.

a light/short sentence (= a short time in prison ) We’re hoping that he gets off with a light sentence.

a prison/jail sentence ( also a custodial sentence British English formal ) If found guilty, he faces a long jail sentence.

a non-custodial sentence British English formal (= a punishment in which a person does not go to prison ) The judge said the offence was too serious for a non-custodial sentence.

a five-year/eight-year etc sentence (= five/eight etc years in prison ) He was serving an eight-year sentence for burglary.

the maximum sentence (= the most that can be given for a particular crime ) The maximum sentence for this offence is five years.

a life sentence (= prison for the rest of your life, or a very long time ) In 1978 he was given a life sentence for attacking a 72-year-old woman.

a death sentence (= a punishment of death ) Death sentences were handed down to eight of the accused.

a suspended sentence (= one which someone will serve only if they commit another crime ) Her attacker got a two-year suspended sentence.

THESAURUS

punishment something that is done in order to punish someone, or the act of punishing them : I don’t think they deserved such a severe punishment. | The usual punishment is life in prison.

sentence a punishment given by a judge in a court : He was given a long prison sentence. | They asked for the maximum sentence.

fine an amount of money that you must pay as a punishment : I got an £80 fine for speeding. | There are heavy fines for drink-driving.

penalty a general word for a punishment given to someone who has broken a law, rule, or agreement : What’s the penalty if you get caught? | He called for stiffer penalties for crimes involving guns.

the death penalty ( also capital punishment ) the system in which people are killed as a punishment for crimes : If he is found guilty, he faces the death penalty. | A number of states have abolished capital punishment.

community service unpaid work helping other people that someone does as punishment for a crime : He was given a choice between doing 200 hours of community service, or a big fine.

corporal punishment the punishment of children by hitting them : I don’t agree with corporal punishment. | Corporal punishment was abolished in schools in 1987.