ENGLISH
REFERENCE

sentencing

n.
US //ˈsɛntənsɪŋ// UK //sˈɛntənsɪŋ// sen·tenc·ing
  1. 1 judicial punishment (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Formal Law

    the act of a judge officially stating the punishment for a criminal.

    the formal pronouncement of a punishment by a court of law upon a person convicted of a crime.

    Example

    The judge scheduled the sentencing for next month after the jury found the man guilty.

    Example

    The judge deferred sentencing until a full psychiatric evaluation could be completed to determine the defendant's state of mind during the incident.

    Usage

    Often used as an uncountable noun referring to the process or a countable noun for the specific hearing.

Last updated June 20, 2026