Synonyms

criminal record

American

[krim-uh-nuhl rek-erd] / ˈkrɪm ə nəl ˈrɛk ərd /

noun

plural

criminal records

an officially recorded history of arrests, charges, or convictions associated with a person.

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.

The court said it had taken Kim's lack of a prior criminal record into account in its sentencing.

From Barron's • Apr. 28, 2026

Federal public defenders assigned to Allen after he submitted a financial affidavit to the court requesting representation noted that Allen has no prior criminal record, a factor in determining a criminal suspect’s handling before trial.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 27, 2026

Strong families and strong schools shape habits and values more effectively than the threat of a criminal record ever will.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

Heifler, who is a US citizen, has been described by police as an "extremist with no criminal record with the New York Police Department", CBS News, the BBC's US partner, reported.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

The “negative credential” associated with a criminal record represents a unique mechanism of state-sponsored stratification.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander

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