felony

American  

[fel-uh-nee] / ˈfɛl ə ni /

noun

Law.

plural

felonies

1. 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.

2. Early English Law. any crime punishable by death or mutilation and forfeiture of lands and goods.

---

felony British  

/ ˈfɛlənɪ /

noun

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

---

felony Cultural  

1. 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.

---

Etymology

Origin of felony

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

Example Sentences

Three grand juries declined to indict Reid for felony assault.

From The Wall Street Journal

O’Connor was indicted by a grand jury in November 2023 on 20 felony and 43 misdemeanor counts.

From Los Angeles Times

They are required to provide identification when registering to vote, and must swear under penalty of perjury, a felony, that they are eligible to vote and a U.S. citizen.

From Los Angeles Times

The volunteers faced charges, including “abandonment of property” and felony harboring, though the convictions for some were later overturned.

From Los Angeles Times

Tucker and Luckey have also pleaded guilty to felony charges and remain in federal custody awaiting their own sentencing hearings, according to the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• arson
• assault
• burglary
• murder
• offense
• rape
• robbery
• violation
• wrongdoing