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felony

[ fel-uh-nee ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

Law.

plural felonies.

an offense, as murder or burglary, of graver character than those called misdemeanors, especially those commonly punished in the U.S. by imprisonment for more than a year.
Early English Law. any crime punishable by death or mutilation and forfeiture of lands and goods.

felony

/ ˈ��ɛ��ə��ɪ /

noun

(formerly) a serious crime, such as murder or arson. All distinctions between felony and misdemeanour were abolished in England and Wales in 1967

felony

A grave crime, such as murder, rape, or burglary, that is punishable by death ( see capital offense ) or imprisonment in a state or federal facility.

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Word History and Origins

Origin of felony¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English felonie, from Anglo-French, Old French: “villainy”; equivalent to felon ¹ + -y ³

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

He has previously been convicted of and served time for assault with a deadly weapon, driving under the influence, felony vandalism and a hit-and-run, according to court records.

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Around 90 minutes later, police announced that he had been taken into custody on suspicion of felony vandalism.

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Stirling had been charged with felony arson in March and was scheduled to appear for arraignment Monday, the Pilot reported.

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“I never thought in my lifetime I’d see a person with 34 felonies be elected president,” said Parks.

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Newsom received approval from the California Supreme Court to pardon Penry, a requirement when someone has more than one felony conviction.

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Related Words

felonry felony murder

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