death warrant

noun

1
: a warrant for the execution of a death sentence
2

Examples of death warrant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web By midnight Thursday, Roberson’s death warrant dictating the date of the execution had expired, and a spokesperson for the department confirmed a judge would need to order a new date. Dakin Andone, CNN, 22 Oct. 2024 The subpoena was issued to help buy more time for Roberson, who still faces execution if the attorney general's office seeks another death warrant. Erik Ortiz, NBC News, 21 Oct. 2024 The partial stay came hours before Robert Roberson's death warrant was set to expire at midnight and following a back-and-forth series of legal maneuvers, including an earlier decision by the U.S. Supreme Court not to intervene in the case. Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 18 Oct. 2024 Since the death warrant is only authorized for October 17, a judge will need to set a new execution date if the execution does not happen by midnight, Hernandez said. Dakin Andone, CNN, 17 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for death warrant 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'death warrant.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1692, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of death warrant was in 1692

Dictionary Entries Near death warrant

Cite this Entry

“Death warrant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/death%20warrant. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Legal Definition

death warrant

see warrant

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!