felony

noun fel·o·ny \ ˈfe-lə-nē \

|Updated on: 18 Jun 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

Kobe Keene, 19 of Groveland, faces five felony counts and one misdemeanor charge of criminal mischief.

— ryan gillespie, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Groveland teen nabbed in string of vandalism in Clermont, police say," 14 June 2018
Weinstein pleaded not guilty to three felony counts in New York Supreme Court.

— kenzie bryant, Vanities, "Asia Argento on Anthony Bourdain: “He Was My Love, My Rock, My Protector”," 8 June 2018
Ryan Fish, the substitute teacher, was charged in April with two felony counts of risk of injury to a minor, four counts of second-degree reckless endangerment and a single count of breach of peace, police said.

— david owens, courant.com, "Montville High Administrators Plead Not Guilty In 'Fight Club' Case," 7 June 2018
Smith was charged with two felony counts and one misdemeanor.

— gabriel baumgaertner, SI.com, "Brock Turner, the 'Athlete Bias,' and the Movement That Produced the Recall of Judge Aaron Persky," 6 June 2018
Bibbs was arrested and faces two felony counts of child abuse, according to Douglas County Jail records.

— jared gilmour, kansascity, "Dad went home with woman from bar — leaving kids alone in his van overnight, Omaha cops say," 5 June 2018
Priestas also was charged in late March in Lake Superior Court with felony counts of burglary, residential entry and theft for allegedly breaking into the Winfield home to steal the dogs, according to court records there.

— amy lavalley, Post-Tribune, "Man accused of beating pugs to death returns to court; trial date set," 5 June 2018
Lance Findley and Jessica Stultz each face a felony count of neglect of a dependent resulting in death, Marion Superior Court records show.

— marisa kwiatkowski, Indianapolis Star, "DCS records: Father of 'grossly malnourished' 1-month-old had child welfare history," 4 June 2018
Benfield, who is charged with three felony counts of embezzlement, implicated Dixon as an accomplice under questioning, reported WHKY.

— mark price, charlotteobserver, "NC vet and girlfriend swindled 3 veterans groups, used cash to cover bills, cops say," 4 June 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.