criminology

[krim-uh-nol-uh-jee]

noun

1. the study of crime and criminals: a branch of sociology.

criminology

/ ˌkrɪmɪnəˈlɒdʒɪkəl, ˌkrɪmɪˈnɒlədʒɪ /

noun

1. the scientific study of crime, criminal behaviour, law enforcement, etc See also penology

Other Word Forms

• criminologically adverb
• criminological adjective
• criminologist noun
• criminologic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of criminology¹

1855–60; < Latin crīmin- (stem of crīmen; crime ) + -o- + -logy

Word History and Origins

Origin of criminology¹

C19: from Latin crimin- _crime , _-logy

Example Sentences

He hopes to be able to afford to go to university to study criminology.

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The 30-year-old former criminology student appeared expressionless in his orange jumpsuit as he sat through hours of emotional statements from relatives of the victims he killed at a hearing on Wednesday.

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Kohberger would eventually pursue a criminology doctorate at Washington State University, where he was fired from his job as a teaching assistant for evaluating students too harshly.

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One leading criminology expert called the networks behind the supply of illegal cigarettes the "golden thread for understanding serious organised crime", because of its links to people trafficking and, in some cases, illegal immigration.

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Bryan Kohberger, who was a PhD criminology student, was set to stand trial in August over the attacks that shocked America.

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