noun
crime
KRYME/kraɪm/
An illegal or seriously wrongful act.
Breaking the lock to steal the bicycle is a crime.
Etymology
Latin crimen named both an accusation and a fault or offense. English crime initially referred to sinfulness or breaches of divine law before acquiring its specific sense of an offense punishable by law.
In context
the crime of conspiracy is simple enough in theory it's a crime to plan with other people to engage in criminal activity
More examples
- She reported the crime to the police.
- The town recorded fewer crimes this year.
- Destroying such a beautiful building would be a crime.
Forms
crime · crimes
criminal adjective — Relating to unlawful acts