gangsterism

American

[gang-stuh-riz-uhm] / ˈgæŋ stəˌrɪz əm /

noun

the methods or behavior of gangsters.
the use of tactics associated with gangsters, as intimidation or violence, in order to achieve something.

gangsterism British

/ ˈɡæŋstərɪzəm /

noun

the culture of belonging to organized gangs of criminals, esp involving violence

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of gangsterism

An Americanism dating back to 1925–30; gangster + -ism

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Suit, Firmly embedded in U. S. folklore is the idea that Gangsterism got its seed and start in the circulation feuds of Chicago newspapers before the War.

From Time Magazine Archive

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023