mayhem

noun

may·​hem ˈmā-ˌhem  ˈmā-əm 

plural mayhems

1

: needless or willful damage or violence

movies filled with murder and mayhem

2

a

: willful and permanent deprivation of a body part resulting in the impairment of a person's fighting ability

b

: willful and permanent disabling, mutilation, or disfigurement of any part of the body

Did you know?

Mayhem Has Legal Roots

Legally speaking, mayhem refers to the gruesome crime of deliberately causing an injury that permanently disfigures another. The name derives via Middle English from the Anglo-French verb maheimer ("to maim") and is probably of Germanic origin; the English verb maim comes from the same ancestor. The disfigurement sense of mayhem first appeared in English in the 15th century. By the 19th century the word had come to mean any kind of violent behavior; nowadays, mayhem can be used to suggest any kind of chaos or disorder, as in "there was mayhem in the streets during the citywide blackout."

Examples of mayhem in a Sentence

movies filled with murder and mayhem

a criminal who escaped from prison and caused mayhem

Recent Examples on the Web

In viewing her shows as rituals, von Hausswolff understands the draw of drama and mayhem. —Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026

And all the mayhem and murder would be recorded on smart phones and uploaded to social media globally. —John Seiler, Oc Register, 9 Jan. 2026

The neighbourhood The peaceful setting offers respite from the mayhem of inner-city Athens, and there may not be Acropolis views, but the ancient site is easily reachable by taxi for a half-day’s trip. —Jemima Sissons, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Jan. 2026

Baccarin is a warm addition to all the mayhem, and Davis joins the troupe with just the right sense of hope for a future in a world that has lost its way. —Pete Hammond, Deadline, 8 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English mayme, mahaime, from Anglo-French mahaim mutilation, mayhem, from maheimer, mahaigner to maim, probably of Germanic origin; akin to Middle High German meiden gelding, Old Norse meitha to injure

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Rhymes for mayhem

• condemn
• atm
• chernozem
• diadem
• ibidem
• meristem
• clem
• em
• femme
• gem
• hem
• phlegm

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Kids Definition

mayhem

noun

may·​hem ˈmā-ˌhem  ˈmā-əm 

1

: deliberate permanent crippling or injury of any part of the body

2

: needless or willful damage or violence

Medical Definition

mayhem

noun

may·​hem ˈmā-ˌhem  ˈmā-əm 

: willful and permanent disabling, mutilation, or disfiguring of any part of the body

also : the crime of engaging in mayhem

A Rocklin cosmetic surgeon pleaded "not guilty" to 37 felony counts, including mayhem. … In broadcast media reports, women claimed they had botched plastic surgery procedures that have left them disfigured, disabled or both.

—California Statewide Law Enforcement Association

Legal Definition

mayhem

noun

may·​hem ˈmā-ˌhem, -əm 

: willful and permanent crippling, mutilation, or disfigurement of any part of another's body

also : the crime of engaging in mayhem

Note: Under the Model Penal Code and the codes of the states that follow it, mayhem is encompassed by assault and aggravated assault.

Etymology

Anglo-French mahaim, mahain, literally, mutilation, from Old French mahain, from mahaignier to injure, mutilate