easy
Please write one sentence about your favorite animal.
What does Sentence mean?
A sentence is a complete unit of words, or a punishment officially set by a court.
Dictionary definition
A sentence is a complete grammatical unit that expresses a statement, question, command, wish, or exclamation. In math or logic, it can be a statement in words or symbols. In law, a sentence is a punishment set by a court, and to sentence someone is to officially impose that punishment. Figuratively, sentence can mean to cause someone or something to face an unwanted condition.
Example sentences
Sentence in a sentence
medium
A spoken sentence can be complete even though listeners cannot see its punctuation.
medium
In math class, 4 + 5 = 9 is a true number sentence.
hard
The court gave the driver a sentence of community service.
hard
The judge sentenced the company to pay a fine.
hard
The broken bridge sentenced the village to weeks of long detours.
Writing practice
Ready to write your own? Study the examples, then practice sentence in a sentence with Sentence Builder checklist feedback.
Quick practice
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Practice the meaning of Sentence
Answer three quick questions about its meaning and related words.
Question 1 of 3
Practice 1
What does sentence mean in “End the sentence with a question mark” ?
The punctuation clue shows that sentence has its grammar meaning here.
Practice 2
Which sentence uses sentence in its legal meaning?
A judge and community service are clues that sentence means a court-ordered punishment.
Practice 3
Choose the best word: A clause may be part of a complete ____.
A sentence can contain one or more clauses and express a complete grammatical unit.
Practice complete
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You completed 3 questions.
Pronunciation coach
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Sentence
Voice settings
Sounds like
sen · tuhns · strongest beat: sen
Tap each sound part, then blend the whole word together.
Learn
WordSentence.
Partnoun, verb.
MeaningSentence means A sentence is a complete unit of words, or a punishment officially set by a court.
ExampleExample: Please write one sentence about your favorite animal.
Word breakdown
2 syllables. Say each part, then blend the word.
- Syllables
- sen · tuhns
- Strongest beat
- sen
- Ending
- tuhns
- Tip
- Put a little extra energy on sen.
Your turn
Say Sentence
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Nice work—you practiced sentence.
Synonyms
Words like Sentence
statementClose when sentence means a grammatical statement, but questions and commands are sentences too.
utteranceClose for something spoken as a complete unit, though an utterance may be shorter or less grammatically complete.
punishmentClose only in the legal noun sense after a court has found someone or an organization guilty.
judgmentClose in formal legal use for the court decision that sets a punishment.
Antonym review
Does Sentence have an opposite?
Sentence has no single direct opposite across its grammar and legal senses. Fragment contrasts with a complete sentence in grammar, but it is not an opposite of a court sentence or the verb sentence.
Synonym practice
Want to practice sentence synonyms in context? Try a Synonym Search question like "The sentence had seven words," then compare close word choices. Practice sentence synonyms.
Word family
Sentence word family
Base word
sentence
noun
sentences
The plural noun or the present-tense verb used with he, she, or it.
verb
sentenced
Officially received or imposed a court punishment in the past.
noun
sentencing
The process of deciding and formally imposing a legal sentence.
adjective
sentential
A technical grammar word meaning related to a sentence.
Related words
Explore related words
Student support
Understand Sentence
Hint for students
Look for writing or speech clues for the grammar meaning and court or punishment clues for the legal meaning.
Common mix-up
A sentence is not always a statement and does not always need a visible subject followed by a verb. Questions, commands, and exclamations can be sentences too. In figurative use, sentence can mean to cause an unwanted result. Fragment is only a grammar contrast, not a general antonym.
Try it in class or at home
Sort six examples into grammar sentence, number sentence, and court sentence. Then underline the clue that identifies each sense and write one new example for two of the groups.
Teacher prompt
Compare a sentence in grammar, a number sentence in math, and a court sentence. What context clues identify each meaning?
Word Wheel
Practice with the School Words Wheel
This word is part of WordHive's researched School Words collection. Spin the complete wheel to review meanings, discuss classroom connections, and practice using school vocabulary in sentences.
Learning activities
Practice Sentence and explore more word games
Cards labelled “Practice SENTENCE” keep this word in focus. Explore cards open games with other words.
Practice SENTENCE
Sentence Builder
Write your own sentence with this word and revise with checklist feedback.
Write a sentence with SENTENCE
Explore · Spelling
Spell Hive
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Explore · Definitions
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Practice definitions
Explore · Matching
Vocabulary Match
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Match meanings
Explore · Context
Context Clue Challenge
Use sentence clues to choose the word that fits the meaning.
Use context clues
Practice SENTENCE
Synonym Search
Compare meanings in a question that includes SENTENCE.
Practice SENTENCE
Explore · Scramble
Scrambled Bees
Rebuild words from mixed-up letters for spelling practice.
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