arson

[ahr-suhn]

noun

1. Law.,  the malicious burning of another's house or property, or in some statutes, the burning of one's own house or property, as to collect insurance.

arson

/ ˈɑːsən /

noun

1. criminal law the act of intentionally or recklessly setting fire to another's property or to one's own property for some improper reason

Other Word Forms

• arsonous adjective
• arsonist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of arson¹

First recorded in 1670–80; from Anglo-French, Old French, from Late Latin ārsiōn-, stem of ārsiō “a burn,” from ārs(us) “burned” (past participle of Latin ārd(ere) “to burn”; ardent ) + -iō -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of arson¹

C17: from Old French, from Medieval Latin ārsiō, from Latin ārdēre to burn; see _ardent

Example Sentences

A man has been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life after a fire at a mosque in East Sussex.

From BBC

A mosque in East Sussex has been damaged by fire in what police are investigating as a hate crime, following a report of arson.

From BBC

Justin Halstenberg, 35, was convicted of nine counts of arson, ranging from aggravated arson to the use of an incendiary device, for his role in San Bernardino County’s Line and Bacon fires.

From Los Angeles Times

"Russia is waging a massive campaign of disinformation against the Czech Republic," said security analyst Roman Maca, adding that Russian intelligence services were also believed to be behind cyber-attacks and cases of arson.

From BBC

A mother and her young child managed to escape a "terrifying and deliberate" arson attack at their home after a car alarm sounded on the driveway, police have said.

From BBC

Related Words

• torching www.thesaurus.com