presentence

adjective

pre·​sen·​tence ˌprē-ˈsen-tᵊn(t)s How to pronounce presentence (audio)
-tᵊnz
variants or pre-sentence or less commonly presentencing or pre-sentencing
law
: done or occurring before sentencing
a presentence report
presentence interviews
a presentencing hearing

Word History

First Known Use

1923, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of presentence was in 1923

Dictionary Entries Near presentence

Cite this Entry

“Presentence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/presentence. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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