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Criminology includes the study of all aspects of crime and law enforcement—criminal psychology, the social setting of crime, prohibition and prevention, investigation and detection, capture and punishment. Thus, many of the people involved—legislators, social workers, probation officers, judges, etc.—could possibly be considered criminologists, though the word usually refers only to scholars and researchers.
Examples of criminology in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The other student allegedly stalked by Kohberger worked in the criminology department with him, but was an undergraduate.
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Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
According to Andrés Antillano, a professor of criminology at the Central University of Venezuela, these cars, strung together in the service of the pran, make up a tren, or train.
—Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Jillian Peterson, executive director of the Violence Prevention Project Research Center and a criminology professor at Hamline University, told USA Today that surges in violence can still occur despite positive trends.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2025
As revealed at the end of the documentary, Lauryn is planning to attend college and study criminology.
—Jordana Comiter, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
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Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
According to Andrés Antillano, a professor of criminology at the Central University of Venezuela, these cars, strung together in the service of the pran, make up a tren, or train.
—Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Jillian Peterson, executive director of the Violence Prevention Project Research Center and a criminology professor at Hamline University, told USA Today that surges in violence can still occur despite positive trends.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2025
As revealed at the end of the documentary, Lauryn is planning to attend college and study criminology.
—Jordana Comiter, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for criminology
Cite this Entry
“Criminology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/criminology. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
criminology
noun
crim·i·nol·o·gy
ˌkrim-ə-ˈnäl-ə-jē 
: a scientific study of crime, of criminals, and of their punishment or correction
Medical Definition
Legal Definition
criminology
noun
crim·i·nol·o·gy
ˌkri-mə-ˈnä-lə-jē
: the scientific study of crime as a social phenomenon, of criminals, and of penal treatment
criminologically
adverb
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