criminology

noun
crim·​i·​nol·​o·​gy | \ ˌkri-mə-ˈnä-lə-jē How to pronounce criminology (audio) \

Definition of criminology

: the scientific study of crime as a social phenomenon, of criminals, and of penal treatment

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Other Words from criminology

criminological \ ˌkri-​mə-​nə-​ˈlä-​ji-​kəl How to pronounce criminological (audio) \ adjective
criminologically \ ˌkri-​mə-​nə-​ˈlä-​ji-​k(ə-​)lē How to pronounce criminologically (audio) \ adverb
criminologist \ ˌkri-​mə-​ˈnä-​lə-​jist How to pronounce criminologist (audio) \ noun

Did You Know?

Criminology includes the study of all aspects of crime and law enforcement—criminal psychology, the social setting of crime, prohibition and prevention, investigation and detection, capture and punishment. Thus, many of the people involved—legislators, social workers, probation officers, judges, etc.—could possibly be considered criminologists, though the word usually refers only to scholars and researchers.

Examples of criminology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

James Alan Fox, a criminology professor at Northeastern University in Boston, attributes the difference in media coverage to the nature of the attacks. John Kelly, USA TODAY, "El Paso, Dayton, Chicago: Media doesn't treat all gun violence the same," 5 Aug. 2019 Now, Tovar Sosa, who is studying social work and criminology, is a CAMP mentor who volunteers to help other students like him navigate their new college environment. Elizabeth Hernandez, The Denver Post, "Migrant, seasonal farm workers at Adams State University receive renewed federal funding for support amid a time of anxiety in their communities," 1 Aug. 2019 Adam Lankford, a criminology professor at the University of Alabama, has come to similar conclusions in his own research. Dennis Romero, NBC News, "Mass shootings: Experts say violence is contagious, and 24/7 news cycle doesn't help," 5 Aug. 2019 Trump would get no argument on that point from Adam Lankford, a criminology professor at the University of Alabama. Los Angeles Times, "In El Paso and now Dayton, the familiar fallout of a mass shooting repeats again," 4 Aug. 2019 Adedeji Oyenuga, a senior lecturer in criminology at Lagos State University who has studied Yahoo Boys, said Nigeria’s older generation largely rejects the scammers, but many youths embrace them. Jack Nicas, New York Times, "Facebook Connected Her to a Tattooed Soldier in Iraq. Or So She Thought.," 28 July 2019 Frank graduated from Bishop Moore High School and received his bachelor's degree in criminology from FSU. orlandosentinel.com, "Deaths in Central Florida: 7/14," 14 July 2019 Still, the relationship is very fraught, said David Wall, a criminology professor at the University of Leeds, because of the same procedural and safety concerns. Hanna Kozlowska, Quartz, "There’s a global movement of Facebook vigilantes who hunt pedophiles," 24 July 2019 At Florida State, Tony earned a bachelor’s degree in criminology and criminal justice in 2002 and played on the football team under former coach Bobby Bowden. Skyler Swisher, sun-sentinel.com, "Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony reports negative financial net worth, according to new filing," 29 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'criminology.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of criminology

1872, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for criminology

Latin crīmin-, crīmen "accusation, crime" + -o- + -logy

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More Definitions for criminology

criminology

noun

English Language Learners Definition of criminology

: the study of crime, criminals, and the punishment of criminals

criminology

noun
crim·​i·​nol·​o·​gy | \ ˌkrim-ə-ˈnäl-ə-jē How to pronounce criminology (audio) \
plural criminologies

Medical Definition of criminology

: the scientific study of crime as a social phenomenon, of criminals, and of penal treatment

Other Words from criminology

criminological \ -​ən-​ᵊl-​ˈäj-​i-​kəl How to pronounce criminological (audio) \ adjective
criminologically \ -​k(ə-​)lē How to pronounce criminologically (audio) \ adverb
criminologist \ ˌkrim-​ə-​ˈnäl-​ə-​jəst How to pronounce criminologist (audio) \ noun

criminology

noun
crim·​i·​nol·​o·​gy | \ ˌkri-mə-ˈnä-lə-jē How to pronounce criminology (audio) \

Legal Definition of criminology

: the scientific study of crime as a social phenomenon, of criminals, and of penal treatment

Other Words from criminology

criminological \ ˌkri-​mə-​nə-​ˈlä-​jə-​kəl How to pronounce criminological (audio) \ adjective
criminologically adverb
criminologist \ ˌkri-​mə-​ˈnä-​lə-​jist How to pronounce criminologist (audio) \ noun