capital punishment
cap-it-ul PUN-ish-ment
/ˈkæpɪtəl ˈpʌnɪʃmənt/
The legally authorized killing of someone as punishment for a crime.
Specifically refers to the death penalty as a legal institution or sentence, rather than the act of killing itself.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'capitalis,' meaning 'of the head.' Historically, the most common form of this punishment was beheading, literally taking the head of the condemned.
Word relationships
- death penalty: 'Death penalty' is more common in everyday speech, while 'capital punishment' is the formal legal term.
- life imprisonment: The most common alternative sentence for crimes that would otherwise qualify for the death penalty.
Commonly confused with
- corporal punishment: Capital punishment results in death; corporal punishment involves physical pain but not death.
Word family
- capital (adjective): Relating to the head or involving the death penalty.
Collocations
- abolish capital punishment
- sentence to capital punishment
- debate over capital punishment
Example sentences
- "The death penalty, or capital punishment, is the execution of an offender sentenced to death after conviction by a court of law of a criminal offense." Legal definition
- "Many activists argue that capital punishment is a violation of human rights and should be banned globally." Political debate
Memory hook
Think of 'Cap' as in 'Head.' Capital punishment is the 'head' or ultimate punishment. Cap = Head = Beheading.
When not to use
Do not use for extrajudicial killings or murders; it must be state-sanctioned.
Fun facts
- The last public execution in the United States took place in 1936.
- Michigan was the first English-speaking territory in the world to abolish capital punishment for ordinary crimes in 1846.
Related words
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