hate crime

noun

: any of various crimes (such as assault or defacement of property) when motivated by hostility to the victim as a member of a group (such as one based on color, creed, gender, or sexual orientation)

Examples of hate crime in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Once a victim reports a hate crime to CA vs Hate, they are given the option to connect with a care coordinator and follow-up services. —Emma Hall, Sacramento Bee, 21 May 2024

The shooter of two Jewish men in L.A. agrees to plead guilty to hate crimes. —Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1960, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

hate crime

noun

plural hate crimes

: any of various crimes (as assault) when motivated by hostility to the victim based on social characteristics (as color, creed, gender, sexual orientation, or national origin)

Legal Definition

hate crime

noun

: a crime that violates the victim's civil rights and that is motivated by hostility to the victim's race, religion, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender