offence

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

/ əˈfɛns, ˈɔ fɛns, ˈɒf ɛns /

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noun British.

variant of offense.

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Words nearby offence

off-color, off colour, offcut, off-duty, Offenbach, offence, offend, offended, offender, offense, offenseless

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use offence in a sentence

The nineteenth charge was, “For transporting us beyond seas to be tried for pretended offences.”
America's Last King Wasn't the Crazy Tyrant You've Been Led to Believe|Andrew Roberts|November 9, 2021|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.
What to Know About Julian Assange’s Extradition Appeal|Eloise Barry / London|October 29, 2021|Time
On Monday, Downing Street said it was first made aware of “a potential offence relating to child abuse imagery” on February 12.
British Prime Minister’s Child Porn Adviser Arrested Over Child Porn|Tim Teeman|March 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“We never meant to be offensive, but we apologize if any offence was caused,” they told the Sun.
British Co-Eds Dress as 9/11 in a Costume Contest—and Win|Nico Hines|November 6, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Is it really an offence against democracy for a government to enforce its own commitments upon its own MPs?
Stephen Harper is Respecting Voter Wishes by Not Reopening the Abortion Debate|David Frum|April 6, 2013|DAILY BEAST
It is the first offence of which Mr Taylor has ever been accused.
Harry's Day in Court Over Stolen Mobile Moves Closer|Tom Sykes|February 29, 2012|DAILY BEAST
This, of course, amounted to the criminal offence of aiding and abetting sex with minors.
Prosecute the Pope|Geoffrey Robertson|April 1, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Turn away from sin and order thy hands aright, and cleanse thy heart from all offence.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version|Various
Without any known cause of offence, a tacit acknowledgement of mutual dislike was shewn by Louis and de Patinos.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
A little quarrelling or fighting, or playing at cards, was apparently no offence.
Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham|Thomas T. Harman and Walter Showell
No more admirable illustration can be found of the truth that the essence of defence lies in a vigorous local offence.
Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison
Still, I mean no offence when I put tea in the same category with Tobacco.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.

British Dictionary definitions for offence

offence

US offense

/ (əˈfɛns) /

noun

a violation or breach of a law, custom, rule, etc

any public wrong or crime
a nonindictable crime punishable on summary conviction

annoyance, displeasure, or resentment

give offence or give offence to someone to cause annoyance or displeasure to someone

take offence to feel injured, humiliated, or offended

a source of annoyance, displeasure, or anger

attack; assault

archaic injury or harm

the offense (ˈɒfɛns) American football

the team that has possession of the ball
the members of a team that play in such circumstances

Derived forms of offence

offenceless or US offenseless, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012