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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
Richard Berk, emeritus professor of criminology and statistics at the University of Pennsylvania, said AI tools are just fancier versions of what humans already do, whether that is organizing data or finding connections between events.
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Sarah Lapidus, AZCentral.com, 26 Feb. 2026
Meyer earned degrees in criminology and communications from Marquette University.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Although Tinley Park police did not assist in the making of the film, Minn did interview victim’s relatives, a former Lane Bryant employee who knew the lone survivor, a criminology professor and paramedics who were on the scene at the time.
—Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
Decades of research in sociology, criminology and public health demonstrate that youth behavior is deeply shaped by peer networks, identity formation and perceived future horizons.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 16 Jan. 2026
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Sarah Lapidus, AZCentral.com, 26 Feb. 2026
Meyer earned degrees in criminology and communications from Marquette University.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Although Tinley Park police did not assist in the making of the film, Minn did interview victim’s relatives, a former Lane Bryant employee who knew the lone survivor, a criminology professor and paramedics who were on the scene at the time.
—Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
Decades of research in sociology, criminology and public health demonstrate that youth behavior is deeply shaped by peer networks, identity formation and perceived future horizons.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for criminology
Cite this Entry
“Criminology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/criminology. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
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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