Word: Death Row
Definition: "Death row" is a noun that refers to a special section in a prison where people who have been sentenced to death live while they wait for their execution. These individuals have been convicted of very serious crimes, and their punishment is to be executed (killed) by the state.
Usage Instructions: Use "death row" when talking about the prison system, the legal process, or discussions about capital punishment (the death penalty).
Example Sentence: - "After being found guilty of murder, he was sent to death row to await his execution."
Advanced Usage: In discussions about criminal justice, "death row" can also be used metaphorically to describe situations where someone is awaiting a very serious consequence or outcome, although it is important to be sensitive when using it this way due to its serious nature.
Word Variants: - "Death penalty" refers to the punishment itself, while "death row inmate" describes a person who is on death row.
Different Meanings: "Death row" has a specific meaning related to prisons and executions and does not have widely used alternative meanings outside of that context.
Synonyms: - "Condemned cellblock" - "Execution chamber" (although this refers to the place of execution, not the waiting area)
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:While "death row" itself does not have idioms or phrasal verbs associated with it, you might hear phrases like "waiting for the axe," which is an idiomatic way of saying someone is waiting for a very serious consequence, similar to how a person on death row awaits their execution.
Summary: "Death row" is a term used to describe the area in a prison where people who are sentenced to die await their execution.