death row

American

noun

a row of prison cells for prisoners awaiting execution.

death row British

noun

the part of a prison where those sentenced to death are confined

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of death row

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

South Korea has not executed anyone on death row since December 1997, so even a death penalty for Yoon would, in effect, be life imprisonment.

From BBC

South Korea retains the death penalty but has not carried out an execution since 1997, leaving dozens to languish on death row.

From Barron's

Shekhi said prisoners on death row in Iran were typically granted a final visit by their loved ones before their execution.

From BBC

He pointed to a Pollock-esque painting in front of his desk created by a death row inmate represented by his predecessor.

From Los Angeles Times

A US woman who spent years on death row for murders she didn't commit was among two people found dead after a house fire in the Republic of Ireland.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023