death row

noun

: a prison area housing inmates sentenced to death
usually used with on
prisoners waiting on death row

Examples of death row in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
South Carolina has carried out the execution of death row inmate Richard Moore for the 1999 murder of a convenience store clerk, despite calls for clemency from some of his trial's former jurors, the judge from his original trial, pastors, a former state prison director and members of his family. Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 2 Nov. 2024 Yet Roberson remains on death row, even as politicians, scientists and others—including the lead detective who investigated him and one of the jurors who convicted him—have spoken out on his behalf. Jeff Kukucka, Scientific American, 26 Oct. 2024 There are currently 25 people on death row in Kentucky. Killian Baarlaer, The Courier-Journal, 24 Oct. 2024 But when, in March 2024, the state’s governor – Newsom – declared a halt to executions, sparing all 737 people on California’s death row, Harris praised the action. Donovan A. Watts, The Conversation, 23 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for death row 

Word History

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of death row was in 1894

Dictionary Entries Near death row

Cite this Entry

“Death row.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/death%20row. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

Legal Definition

death row

noun
: a prison area housing inmates sentenced to death
death row adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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