mayhem

American  

[mey-hem, mey-uhm] / ˈmeɪ hɛm, ˈmeɪ əm /

noun

1. Law. the crime of willfully inflicting a bodily injury on another so as to make the victim less capable of self-defense or, under modern statutes, so as to cripple or mutilate the victim.

2. random or deliberate violence or damage.

3. a state of rowdy disorder.

   Antagonisms between the various factions at the meeting finally boiled over, and mayhem ensued.

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mayhem British  

/ ˈmeɪhɛm /

noun

1. law the wilful and unlawful infliction of injury upon a person, esp (formerly) the injuring or removing of a limb rendering him less capable of defending himself against attack

2. any violent destruction or confusion

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Etymology

Origin of mayhem

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English maheym, maim, from Anglo-French mahe(i)m, mahaim, from Germanic; akin to Middle High German meidem “gelding,” Old Norse meitha “to injure”; see maim

Explanation

Mayhem is a violent and rowdy disturbance, like what you might experience at an overcrowded rock concert or a day-after-Thanksgiving sale. You may encounter several types of disturbances in your life, but mayhem is typically used for disturbances involving crowds. The word mayhem comes to us not from Latin, as many English words do, but from Anglo-French, a dialect of French that developed in England several centuries ago. We’re guessing those Anglo-French speakers had a reputation for being a pretty rowdy bunch.

Example Sentences

Lady Gaga embraced her "Mayhem" era, rocking a high-necked sleeveless black feather gown from Matieres Fecales that trailed behind her in wisps of tulle.

From Barron's • Feb. 2, 2026

Her seventh album, Mayhem, is a triumphant return to the maximalist pop that made her famous, delivered with the hard-won grace of someone who's endured 18 years in the pop machine.

From BBC • Jan. 31, 2026

Lady Gaga, 39, made a splashy comeback to touring with "Mayhem," her collection of pop bangers with a dark edge that embraces her dramatic side.

From Barron's • Jan. 30, 2026

It’s a clever set piece, which might be why Lady Gaga has a similar one in the Mayhem Ball tour she brought to the Kia Forum last week.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 6, 2025

As of right now, all the reports were that no one knew the Academy was gone except us, Mayhem, and a few high-ranking government officials.

From "Glitch" by Laura Martin

Related Words

• anarchy
• commotion
• destruction
• fracas
• havoc
• pandemonium
• violence