felony

noun

fel·​o·​ny ˈfe-lə-nē 

plural felonies

1

a

: a grave crime formerly differing from a misdemeanor (see misdemeanor sense 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

2

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

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.

Examples of felony in a Sentence

The crime is considered a felony under state law.

He was convicted of felony murder.

Recent Examples on the Web

That was because Florida law did not have a felony charge for the reckless operation of a boat that resulted in serious injuries. —David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 28 June 2025

He was also indicted on felony charges related to Jan. 6, but that case was dropped after Trump was elected in November. —Alanna Durkin Richer, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2025

Any person elected by the commissioners must also be certified to have no felony convictions or expungements. —Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 28 June 2025

Court files show that Tracy D. Thomas Jr. pleaded guilty to felony murder in Lake County Court in the 2022 death of Jayceon Wright, who was 6 years old. —Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

see felon entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

felony

noun

fel·​o·​ny ˈfel-ə-nē 

plural felonies

: a serious crime punishable by a heavy sentence

felonious

fə-ˈlō-nē-əs

adjective

feloniously adverb

Legal Definition

felony

noun

fel·​o·​ny ˈfe-lə-nē 

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.