capital punishment

[kap-i-tl puhn-ish-muhnt]

noun

1. punishment by death for a crime; death penalty.

capital punishment

noun

1. the punishment of death for a crime; death penalty

capital punishment

¹

1. The death penalty for a crime.

capital punishment

²

1. The infliction of the death penalty as punishment for certain crimes. (See capital offense.)

In the United States, capital punishment has been an extremely controversial issue on legal, moral, and ethical grounds. In 1972, the Supreme Court ruled that the death penalty was not, in principle, cruel and unusual punishment (and not, therefore, unconstitutional), but that its implementation through existing state laws was unconstitutional. In 1976, the Supreme Court again ruled that the death penalty was not unconstitutional, though a mandatory death penalty for any crime was. Thirty-nine states now practice the death penalty.

Word History and Origins

Origin of capital punishment¹

First recorded in 1575–85

Example Sentences

The death penalty, however, can only be used if the jury agrees, posing a potential challenge in a city in which most residents are opposed to capital punishment.

From BBC

The U.S. directed prosecutors to not seek capital punishment for three reputed drug lords, including one in a DEA agent’s killing, court filings show.

From Los Angeles Times

Mexico long ago abolished capital punishment and reportedly agreed to the mass prisoner transfer on the condition that none face the death penalty.

From Los Angeles Times

Jurors convicted him and gave him death, a sentence commuted to life in prison in 1972 when the state Supreme Court ruled capital punishment unconstitutional.

From Los Angeles Times

Mexico long ago abolished capital punishment and typically extradites its citizens on the condition they are spared death.

From Los Angeles Times