offence

[ uh-fens, aw-fens, of-ens ]

noun

, British.

1. variant of offense.

offence

/ əˈfɛns /

noun

1. a violation or breach of a law, custom, rule, etc
2. 1. any public wrong or crime
   2. a nonindictable crime punishable on summary conviction
3. annoyance, displeasure, or resentment
4. give offence or give offence to someone
   to cause annoyance or displeasure to someone
5. take offence
   to feel injured, humiliated, or offended
6. a source of annoyance, displeasure, or anger
7. attack; assault
8. archaic.
   injury or harm
9. the offense
   American football
   1. the team that has possession of the ball
   2. the members of a team that play in such circumstances

Derived Forms

• ofˈfenceless, adjective

Example Sentences

A demonstration test hinges on a perpetrator showing hostility towards someone with a “protected characteristic” at the time of an offence being committed.

From Washington Blade

Breaching the quarantine order is a criminal offence and offenders are subject to a maximum fine of HK $25,000 and imprisonment for six months.

From ProPublica

The nineteenth charge was, “For transporting us beyond seas to be tried for pretended offences.”

From Time

They also included an agreement not to subject him to a highly restrictive form of solitary confinement, provided he did not commit another offence.

From Time

On Monday, Downing Street said it was first made aware of “a potential offence relating to child abuse imagery” on February 12.

From The Daily Beast

“We never meant to be offensive, but we apologize if any offence was caused,” they told the Sun.

From The Daily Beast

Is it really an offence against democracy for a government to enforce its own commitments upon its own MPs?

From The Daily Beast

It is the first offence of which Mr Taylor has ever been accused.

From The Daily Beast

This, of course, amounted to the criminal offence of aiding and abetting sex with minors.

From The Daily Beast

Turn away from sin and order thy hands aright, and cleanse thy heart from all offence.

From Project Gutenberg

Without any known cause of offence, a tacit acknowledgement of mutual dislike was shewn by Louis and de Patinos.

From Project Gutenberg

A little quarrelling or fighting, or playing at cards, was apparently no offence.

From Project Gutenberg

No more admirable illustration can be found of the truth that the essence of defence lies in a vigorous local offence.

From Project Gutenberg

Still, I mean no offence when I put tea in the same category with Tobacco.

From Project Gutenberg