sentence
SEHN-tuhns
Sentence (noun) means a group of words that forms a complete grammatical statement, usually with a subject and a verb. Example: “Try to write a shorter sentence.”
noun
1
A group of words that forms a complete grammatical statement, usually with a subject and a verb.
"Try to write a shorter sentence."
"Every sentence in the essay needs a clear point."
"Start each sentence with a capital letter and end it with a full stop."
2
The punishment given to someone found guilty of a crime.
"He received a five-year sentence for fraud."
"The judge gave him a suspended sentence instead of sending him to prison."
"She served her sentence and was released early for good behaviour."
verb
1
To formally give a punishment to someone convicted of a crime.
"The judge sentenced her to two years in prison."
"The court will sentence the driver to community service next month."
"Magistrates sentenced him to a fine and banned him from driving."
How to use sentence
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a complete unit of grammar (a "sentence" in writing) or the legal punishment handed down in court.
Common pairings
serve a sentence
complete sentence
life sentence
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Word forms
- Plural
- sentences
- Third person singular
- sentences
- Past tense
- sentenced
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Try to write a shorter _____.
Etymology
From Latin sententia, "opinion, way of thinking," from sentiō, "to feel or think."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for sentence
See all rhymes for sentence →Frequently asked questions
What does “sentence” mean?
The word “sentence” means a group of words that forms a complete grammatical statement, usually with a subject and a verb. In plain terms, either a complete unit of grammar (a "sentence" in writing) or the legal punishment handed down in court.
How do you pronounce “sentence”?
“Sentence” is pronounced SEHN-tuhns ([ˈsɛntn̩(t)s] in IPA).
How do you use “sentence” in a sentence?
Here is “sentence” used in a sentence: “Try to write a shorter sentence.”
What is another word for “sentence”?
Words with a similar meaning to “sentence” include verdict and conviction.
What part of speech is “sentence”?
Depending on how it is used, “sentence” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “sentence” come from?
The word “sentence” comes from Latin. From Latin sententia, "opinion, way of thinking," from sentiō, "to feel or think.".
Is “sentence” a common word?
“Sentence” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “sentence” have?
“Sentence” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a group of words that forms a complete grammatical statement, usually with a subject and a verb.
What is the difference between a sentence and a phrase?
A sentence expresses a complete thought and normally contains a subject and a verb, as in 'The dog barked.' A phrase is a smaller group of words that lacks that complete structure, such as 'the big dog' or 'under the table.' Every sentence can contain phrases, but a phrase alone cannot stand as a full statement.
What are the types of sentences?
By purpose, there are four: declarative (a statement), interrogative (a question), imperative (a command), and exclamatory (a strong feeling). By structure, sentences are simple, compound, complex, or compound-complex, depending on how many clauses they contain and how those clauses are joined together.
What makes a complete sentence?
A complete sentence needs a subject, who or what it is about, and a predicate containing a verb, what happens, and it must express a finished thought. 'She runs' qualifies; 'running fast' does not. In writing, it also begins with a capital letter and ends with a period, question mark, or exclamation point.
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