life imprisonment: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal, legal, journalistic, academic
Quick answer
What does “life imprisonment” mean?
A sentence by which a convicted person is ordered to spend the rest of their natural life in prison.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A sentence by which a convicted person is ordered to spend the rest of their natural life in prison.
A legal punishment where the convicted person is deprived of liberty for life, often with the possibility of parole or review after a minimum term. In some jurisdictions, it is the most severe punishment available, replacing the death penalty.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'life imprisonment' is the standard term, with 'whole life order/tariff' for sentences with no parole review. In the US, the term is also standard, but often specified as 'life without parole' (LWOP) vs. 'life with the possibility of parole'.
Connotations
Carries the same severe legal gravity in both varieties. In public discourse, it is often a point of political and ethical debate regarding punishment and justice.
Frequency
Comparably high frequency in legal and news contexts in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “life imprisonment” in a Sentence
[Subject: court/judge] sentenced [Object: defendant] to life imprisonment.[Subject: crime] carries a sentence of life imprisonment.He was given life imprisonment for the murder.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “life imprisonment” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The life-imprisonment tariff was set by the judge.
- A life-imprisonment case.
American English
- The life-imprisonment statute was challenged.
- A life-imprisonment eligible offence.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in corporate liability or white-collar crime reporting (e.g., 'The fraud could result in life imprisonment.')
Academic
Common in criminology, law, sociology, and ethics papers discussing penal policy and human rights.
Everyday
Used in news discussions and serious conversations about crime and punishment, but not in casual chat.
Technical
Precise legal term defining a specific category of custodial sentence within a jurisdiction's penal code.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “life imprisonment”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “life imprisonment”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “life imprisonment”
- Using 'life imprisonment' as a verb (e.g., 'They life-imprisoned him'). It is a noun phrase only. Confusing it with 'life sentence', which can sometimes be a fixed number of years (e.g., 25 years) in some colloquial uses.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a different form of ultimate punishment. Life imprisonment involves incarceration for life, whereas the death sentence (capital punishment) involves execution.
It depends on the jurisdiction and the specific sentence. 'Life imprisonment with the possibility of parole' allows for release after a minimum term. 'Life imprisonment without parole' or a 'whole life order' typically means no release.
Most commonly, murder, especially aggravated murder. It can also apply to other serious crimes like treason, large-scale drug trafficking, or repeat serious violent offences, depending on the country's laws.
It is a two-word compound noun, often hyphenated when used attributively (e.g., a life-imprisonment sentence).
A sentence by which a convicted person is ordered to spend the rest of their natural life in prison.
Life imprisonment is usually formal, legal, journalistic, academic in register.
Life imprisonment: in British English it is pronounced /ˈlaɪf ɪmˈprɪznmənt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈlaɪf ɪmˈprɪzənmənt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A fate worse than death”
- “Thrown away the key”
- “To be put away for life”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine the word 'LIFE' written on prison bars. The imprisonment lasts for a lifetime.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A CONTAINER (of time) / PUNISHMENT IS A BURDEN (carried for life).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes 'life imprisonment' in most legal systems?