felon

noun fel·on \ ˈfe-lən \

Updated on: 6 Apr 2018

1 : one who has committed a felony

2 archaic : villain

3 : a painful abscess of the deep tissues of the palmar surface of the fingertip that is typically caused by bacterial infection (as with a staphylococcus) and is marked by swelling and pain — compare whitlow

See felon defined for English-language learners

See felon defined for kids

Recent Examples of felon from the Web

Bates was also suspected of unlawfully possessing a weapon as a felon, according to the police report.

— jared gilmour, star-telegram, "7-Eleven clerk disarmed a pistol-wielding man by tossing him through a window, Texas cops say | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 29 Mar. 2018
As a felon on probation, Shannon was prohibited from possessing a firearm, which may have been his reason for fleeing the officers, the release said.

— d. kwas, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Racine police officers will not be charged in shooting death of Donte Shannon," 20 Mar. 2018
Online records show that Lampley has been charged with vehicle theft in the first degree, theft in the second degree, being a felon in possession of a weapon, reckless driving and assault in the fourth degree.

— laurel andrews, Anchorage Daily News, "Anchorage man who scuffled with police faces several charges," 20 Mar. 2018
But times were tough because, as a felon, her mother couldn't find work.

— christopher smart, The Christian Science Monitor, "Salt Lake City cafe employs homeless youth," 16 Mar. 2018
Ficklin was charged Friday with having a weapon as a felon, court records show.

— staff, cleveland.com, "Comment here on cleveland.com court and crime stories for Friday, Feb. 23, 2018," 23 Feb. 2018
Crain is a felon because in 2002 -- as a teenager -- he was convicted of second-degree robbery.

— aimee green, OregonLive.com, "2 robbers terrified Portland in 14-bar spree: Jury acquits 2 men prosecutors pursued," 16 Feb. 2018
As a felon convicted previously of burglary, Smith was prevented from having a weapon.

— andrew welsh-huggins, The Seattle Times, "Ohio man charged with providing gun that killed officers," 12 Feb. 2018
The person behind the wheel of the self-driving Uber car that struck and killed an Arizona woman Sunday night was felon.

— USA TODAY, "Yes, we're still talking about gun violence at school," 20 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'felon.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of felon

Middle English, from Anglo-French felun, fel evildoer, probably of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German fillen to beat, whip, fel skin — more at fell

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

See Words from the same year

Other Legal Terms

actionable, alienable, carceral, chattel, complicity, decedent, larceny, malfeasance, modus operandi

felon

adjective

1 archaic

a : cruel

b : evil

2 archaic : wild

First Known Use of felon

13th century

FELON Defined for English Language Learners

felon

noun

: a criminal who has committed a serious crime (called a felony)

FELON Defined for Kids

felon

noun fel·on \ ˈfe-lən \

: ²criminal

Medical Dictionary

felon

noun fel·on

: a painful abscess of the deep tissues of the palmar surface of the fingertip that is typically caused by infection of a bacterium (such as Staphylococcus aureus) and is marked by swelling and pain — compare paronychia, whitlow 1