Crime: Definition, Legal Meaning & Usage Examples

Meaning 1：illegal act (crime)

crime 🔊

/kraɪm/

An illegal act that breaks the law and for which you can be punished.

Crime scene illustration: police officer securing area with yellow tape at dusk

illegal act 🔊

➕

/ɪˈliːɡl ækt/

An action or omission that constitutes a violation of the law, which is punishable by the state.

📁 Category：Laws & Regulations 🔖 Level：初级

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'crimen' meaning 'judgment, accusation'.

💡 Mnemonic

CRIes are Made Everywhere. This helps recall the spelling and the concept of acts causing harm.

📖 Example

After the neighborhood installed more security cameras, the rate of crime dropped significantly. 🔊 The implementation of additional security cameras in the residential area led to a notable decrease in the incidence of illegal acts.

🔗 Collocations

commit a crime – to perform an illegal act

serious crime – a major or severe offense

crime rate – the frequency of illegal acts in an area

🔄 Synonyms

offence (n.) – an act that breaks a law or rule

violation (n.) – the action of breaking a law or agreement

felony (n.) – a serious crime, typically involving violence

🚫 Antonyms

lawfulness (n.) – the quality of being conforming to the law

innocence (n.) – the state of not being guilty of a crime

good deed (n.) – a helpful or kind act

🌱 Derivatives

criminal (n./adj.) – a person who commits a crime; related to crime

criminalize (v.) – to make an activity illegal by law

criminology (n.) – the scientific study of crime and criminals

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'crime' entered English from Old French 'crimne', which itself descended from the Latin 'crimen' (accusation, charge, offense). In ancient Roman law, 'crimen' referred to a legal charge or verdict. This legal foundation directly shaped the modern English meaning of an act subject to public prosecution and punishment within a formal legal system.