juvenile delinquency

noun

1

: conduct by a juvenile characterized by antisocial behavior that is beyond parental control and therefore subject to legal action

2

: a violation of the law committed by a juvenile and not punishable by death or life imprisonment

juvenile delinquent noun

Examples of juvenile delinquency in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The district attorney’s office has claimed in court filings that prosecutors maintain older records of juvenile delinquency proceedings that are not available to the myriad other people vetting claims in the settlement, including multiple judges and the State Bar. — Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026

Anxiety over juvenile delinquency is not new. — Theara Coleman, TheWeek, 11 May 2026

Cutting educational, recreational, arts and youth development activities not only diminishes quality of life but may also lead to juvenile delinquency, justice system involvement or dependency on government assistance. — U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Apr. 2026

Isaac, a 17-year-old suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and ADHD, has been charged with juvenile delinquency offenses and is being held in a state youth detention facility, according to the lawsuit. — Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 19 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1816, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

juvenile delinquency

noun

: violation of the law (as stealing) or antisocial behavior (as playing hooky from school) by a young person

Medical Definition

juvenile delinquency

noun

1

: conduct by a juvenile characterized by antisocial behavior that is subject to legal action

2

: a violation of the law committed by a juvenile that would have been a crime if committed by an adult

Legal Definition

juvenile delinquency

noun

: a violation of the law committed by a juvenile that would have been a crime if committed by an adult

also : antisocial behavior by juveniles that is subject to legal action