criminology

noun

crim·​i·​nol·​o·​gy ˌkri-mə-ˈnä-lə-jē How to pronounce criminology (audio)
: the scientific study of crime as a social phenomenon, of criminals, and of penal treatment
criminological adjective
criminologically adverb
criminologist noun

Did you know?

Criminology includes the study of all aspects of crime and law enforcement—criminal psychology, the social setting of crime, prohibition and prevention, investigation and detection, capture and punishment. Thus, many of the people involved—legislators, social workers, probation officers, judges, etc.—could possibly be considered criminologists, though the word usually refers only to scholars and researchers.

Examples of criminology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Their motives can be similar to adults, but the decision-making portions of adolescent brains are still forming, which can make kids more hasty to use violence to solve petty conflicts, said Kathleen Heide, professor emerita of criminology at the University of South Florida. N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA TODAY, 18 Oct. 2024 Both the fears and promises around algorithms in the courtroom assume judges are consistently using them Still, University of Pennsylvania criminology professor Richard Berk argues that human decision-makers can be just as flawed. Lauren Feiner, The Verge, 30 Oct. 2024 Valente is also trained in boxing and judo and graduated with a degree in criminology from Barry University. Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 29 Oct. 2024 Online majors include anthropology, environmental management, sport management and criminology, among many others. Doug Wintemute, Forbes, 29 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for criminology 

Word History

Etymology

Latin crīmin-, crīmen "accusation, crime" + -o- + -logy

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of criminology was in 1872

Dictionary Entries Near criminology

Cite this Entry

“Criminology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/criminology. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

criminology

noun
crim·​i·​nol·​o·​gy ˌkrim-ə-ˈnäl-ə-jē How to pronounce criminology (audio)
: a scientific study of crime, of criminals, and of their punishment or correction
criminological adjective
criminologist noun

Medical Definition

criminology

noun
crim·​i·​nol·​o·​gy ˌkrim-ə-ˈnäl-ə-jē How to pronounce criminology (audio)
plural criminologies
: the scientific study of crime as a social phenomenon, of criminals, and of penal treatment
criminological adjective
criminologically adverb
criminologist noun

Legal Definition

criminology

noun
crim·​i·​nol·​o·​gy ˌkri-mə-ˈnä-lə-jē How to pronounce criminology (audio)
: the scientific study of crime as a social phenomenon, of criminals, and of penal treatment
criminological adjective
criminologically adverb
criminologist noun

More from Merriam-Webster on criminology

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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