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 press release says the timing is concerning as his removal occurred shortly after Willett filed as a candidate to run for the 323rd District Court, which hears child welfare and juvenile delinquency cases. —Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Jan. 2026

The 17-year-old boy from Plainfield was arrested early Saturday morning and charged with acts of juvenile delinquency, the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s office said. —Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 13 Jan. 2026

Their three daughters, who exist on the border between brilliance and juvenile delinquency, use the resulting lack of parental attention to get into all kinds of trouble: internet boyfriends, religious rebellion, excursions to the nearby mansion of a depraved billionaire. —Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 12 Jan. 2026

The prosecutor's office said a 16-year-old boy from Sayreville was arrested and charged with acts of juvenile delinquency which if committed by an adult would constitute murder, weapons charges and armed riot. —Katie Houlis, CBS News, 11 Jan. 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