felony

noun fel·o·ny \ ˈfe-lə-nē \

|Updated on: 13 Aug 2018

Definition of felony

plural felonies

1 : an act on the part of a feudal vassal (see vassal 1) involving the forfeiture of his fee

2 a : a grave crime formerly differing from a misdemeanor (see misdemeanor 1) under English common law by involving forfeiture in addition to any other punishment

b : a grave crime (such as murder or rape) declared to be a felony by the common law or by statute regardless of the punishment actually imposed

c : a crime declared a felony by statute because of the punishment imposed

d : a crime for which the punishment in federal law may be death or imprisonment for more than one year

See felony defined for English-language learners

See felony defined for kids

Examples of felony in a Sentence

The crime is considered a felony under state law.
He was convicted of felony murder.

Recent Examples of felony from the Web

Hevel was originally charged with manslaughter, felony endangerment, leaving the scene of an accident and driving under the influence.

— bree burkitt, azcentral, "Former Navajo Nation police officer sentenced to 16 years in prison for fatal DUI crash," 14 July 2018
Jean Jimenez-Joseph, 27, was also in immigration removal proceedings following a January conviction for felony larceny of a motor vehicle, ICE said at the time.

— phil helsel /, NBC News, "Mexican man dies in suspected suicide while held in ICE custody," 13 July 2018
Traffic offenses and felonies are not eligible for immediate resolution.

— brian rogers, Houston Chronicle, "Harris DA to host Make it Right event to resolve open misdemeanor warrants," 13 July 2018
According to the law, distribution of these images without consent is a Class A misdemeanor for the first offense and a Class D felony for each following offense.

— emma austin, The Courier-Journal, "Sex ed, terrorism and revenge porn: New Kentucky laws start Saturday," 13 July 2018
The same day the incident occurred, Lim was booked on misdemeanor domestic violence and felony child abuse, police said.

— elizabeth zwirz, Fox News, "California dad recorded using child ‘like a baseball bat’ in confrontation with woman, police say," 13 July 2018
He was charged with a felony robbery, but was released after posting $20,000 bail.

— michael saponara, Billboard, "YG Arrested in Las Vegas For Felony Robbery Charges: Report," 13 July 2018
A day prior, President Donald Trump had pardoned them, wiping away convictions of felony arson on public land.

— jake bullinger, Outside Online, "Trump’s Pardon Condones Western Rebellion," 12 July 2018
He's been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a second degree felony that carries a maximum sentence of 20 years, if Morrison is convicted.

— matthew martinez, star-telegram, "They went to see ‘The First Purge.’ He stabbed a man over a reserved seat, Texas cops say," 12 July 2018

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

Did You Know?

In US law, a felony is typically defined as a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment of not less than one year or by the death penalty. Misdemeanors, in contrast, are often defined as offenses punishable only by fines or by short terms of imprisonment in local jails. Originally, in English law, a felony was a crime for which the perpetrator would suffer forfeiture of all real and personal property as well as whatever sentence was imposed. Under US law, there is no forfeiture of all of the felon’s property, and it is not part of the definition. For certain crimes, however, such as some kinds of racketeering, specific property is subject to forfeiture.

Origin and Etymology of felony

see ¹felon

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th 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

FELONY Defined for English Language Learners

felony

noun

Definition of felony for English Language Learners

law : a serious crime (such as murder or rape)

FELONY Defined for Kids

felony

noun fel·o·ny \ ˈfe-lə-nē \

Definition of felony for Students

plural felonies

: a very serious crime

Law Dictionary

felony

noun fel·o·ny \ ˈfe-lə-nē \

legal Definition of felony

plural felonies

: a crime that has a greater punishment imposed by statute than that imposed on a misdemeanor; specifically : a federal crime for which the punishment may be death or imprisonment for more than a year — see also attainder, treason

Note: Originally in English law a felony was a crime for which the perpetrator would suffer forfeiture of all real and personal property as well as whatever sentence was imposed. Under U.S. law, there is no forfeiture of all of the felon's property (real or personal) and such forfeiture is not part of the definition of a felony. For certain crimes, however (as for a conviction under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act or a narcotics law), specific property, such as that used in or gained by the crime, is subject to forfeiture. Every state has its own statutory definition of a felony. Most are in line with the federal definition of a felony as a crime which carries a sentence of imprisonment for more than one year or the death penalty (where applicable). Other states, like Louisiana, define a felony as a crime which carries a sentence of death or imprisonment at hard labor.