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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
Peter Collins, a Seattle University professor of criminal justice, criminology and forensics, was the lead author of the two studies in Oregon and Washington state.
—
Kevin Fixler
june 26,
Idaho Statesman,
26 June 2026
Despite the staffing and service challenges, agencies still have a responsibility to ensure overtime spending doesn’t significantly exceed budget amounts, said Greg Woods, a criminology professor at San Jose State University.
—
Ethan Varian,
Mercury News,
9 June 2026
Shianne LeClair is an undergraduate criminology student at Central Connecticut State University, and this topic is part of her research on homelessness and criminal justice policy for her Current Issues in Criminal Justice Policy course.
—
Shianne Leclaire,
Hartford Courant,
17 May 2026
Charlotte Gill, a criminology professor at George Mason University, confirmed the same; in some cases, crime actually increased during curfew hours.
—
Louis Martinez,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for criminology
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Kevin Fixler
june 26,
Idaho Statesman,
26 June 2026
Despite the staffing and service challenges, agencies still have a responsibility to ensure overtime spending doesn’t significantly exceed budget amounts, said Greg Woods, a criminology professor at San Jose State University.
—
Ethan Varian,
Mercury News,
9 June 2026
Shianne LeClair is an undergraduate criminology student at Central Connecticut State University, and this topic is part of her research on homelessness and criminal justice policy for her Current Issues in Criminal Justice Policy course.
—
Shianne Leclaire,
Hartford Courant,
17 May 2026
Charlotte Gill, a criminology professor at George Mason University, confirmed the same; in some cases, crime actually increased during curfew hours.
—
Louis Martinez,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for criminology
Cite this Entry
“Criminology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/criminology. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
criminology
noun
crim·i·nol·o·gy
ˌkrim-ə-ˈnäl-ə-jē 
: a scientific study of crime, of criminals, and of their punishment or correction
Medical Definition
Legal Definition
criminology
noun
crim·i·nol·o·gy
ˌkri-mə-ˈnä-lə-jē
: the scientific study of crime as a social phenomenon, of criminals, and of penal treatment
criminologically
adverb
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