felon

noun fel·on \ ˈfe-lən \

|Updated on: 14 Jun 2018

Definition of felon

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 1

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See felon defined for kids

Recent Examples of felon from the Web

Montanez has been in the county jail without bail since May 19, when Cook County Circuit Court records show he was charged with aggravated discharge of a firearm, a class X felony, and unlawful possession of a gun by a felon, a class 2 felony.

— hannah leone, chicagotribune.com, "Parolee charged in shooting of teen on CTA bus," 2 June 2018
Autry-Terrell is being charged as an adult with harboring or aiding a felon, a felony punishable with up to 10 years in prison.

— Washington Post, "DA: Police didn’t respond to Milwaukee murder suspect’s call," 23 May 2018
Police have also arrested Terrell's mother and half-brother, charging them with aiding a felon, CBS affiliate WDJT reports.

— crimesider staff, CBS News, "Police: Missing Milwaukee teen was tortured, killed over video game theft," 23 May 2018
Youngblood was arrested Tuesday (May 16) on one count each of possession of a weapon by a felon, aggravated second-degree battery and introducing contraband in prison.

— marie simoneaux, NOLA.com, "Man awaiting murder trials at Orleans Parish jail stabs another inmate with a shank: warrant," 16 May 2018
Possession of a firearm by a felon was the least of the crimes he was charged with this weekend — but the gun was enough for police to immediately detain him and get him away from the woman.

— avi selk, Washington Post, "‘He has a gun.’ A woman slipped a note to her dog’s vet to escape her attacker, police say," 27 May 2018
In 2016, Greedo was charged with possession of more than 400 grams of methamphetamine and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, according to Pitchfork.

— carl lamarre, Billboard, "03 Greedo on His 20-Year Prison Sentence & Why His Legacy Will Be 'Bigger Than Michael Jackson'," 22 May 2018
According to Orleans Parish court records, Scott has 2009 convictions for simple burglary and attempted possession of a weapon by a felon.

— laura mcknight, NOLA.com, "Man arrested in armed robbery, shooting in Little Woods," 21 May 2018
Police arrested an Angleton man, 47, for unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon April 22 in the 2800 block of Business Center Drive.

— jennifer james, Houston Chronicle, "Police investigate cases of criminal mischief," 30 Apr. 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

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Legal Terms

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

felon

adjective

Definition of felon

1 archaic

a : cruel

b : evil

2 archaic : wild

First Known Use of felon

13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

FELON Defined for English Language Learners

felon

noun

Definition of felon for English Language Learners

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

FELON Defined for Kids

felon

noun fel·on \ ˈfe-lən \

Definition of felon for Students

: ²criminal

Medical Dictionary

felon

noun fel·on

medical Definition of felon

: 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