Main Entry: crim·i·nol·o·gy

Pronunciation: \ˌkrim-ə-ˈnäl-ə-jē\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural crim·i·nol·o·gies

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

—crim·i·no·log·i·cal \-ən-^əl-ˈäj-i-kəl\ adjective

—crim·i·no·log·i·cal·ly \-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

—crim·i·nol·o·gist \ˌkrim-ə-ˈnäl-ə-jəst\ noun