juvenile delinquency

noun

Definition of juvenile delinquency

1 : conduct by a juvenile characterized by antisocial behavior that is beyond parental control and therefore subject to legal action

2 : a violation of the law committed by a juvenile and not punishable by death or life imprisonment

Other Words from juvenile delinquency Example Sentences Learn More about juvenile delinquency

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of juvenile delinquency in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For one of them, running saved him from juvenile delinquency. — Martin Fritz Huber, Outside Online, "The Coach Who Changed Running Forever," 7 June 2019 Perhaps the most famous example of this was legendary actress and singer Eartha Kitt’s famous January 1968 confrontation with first lady, Lady Bird Johnson at the White House during a luncheon that was supposed to be about juvenile delinquency. — Lucy Diavolo, Teen Vogue, "6 Legendary Vietnam-Era Anti-War Movement Protests Everyone Should Know," 3 May 2019 And Kate’s older brother, teenager Teddy (Judah Lewis), is falling into generic juvenile delinquency, which The Christmas Chronicles illustrates not by having him smoke or vandalize something but by having him steal cars. — Todd Vanderwerff, Vox, "Netflix’s The Christmas Chronicles introduces a Santa who can get it," 23 Nov. 2018 Getting children off to the right start pays off, reducing juvenile delinquency, addictions, school dropout rates, learning disabilities, obesity and other problems. — kansascity, "Jean Paul Bradshaw," 30 June 2018 Getting children off to the right start pays off, reducing juvenile delinquency, addictions, school dropout rates, learning disabilities, obesity and other problems. — kansascity, "Jean Paul Bradshaw," 30 June 2018 Getting children off to the right start pays off, reducing juvenile delinquency, addictions, school dropout rates, learning disabilities, obesity and other problems. — kansascity, "Jean Paul Bradshaw," 30 June 2018 Getting children off to the right start pays off, reducing juvenile delinquency, addictions, school dropout rates, learning disabilities, obesity and other problems. — kansascity, "Jean Paul Bradshaw," 30 June 2018 All historical references are carefully elucidated in the same teacherly tone, from the House Un-American Activities Committee to the Senate hearings on juvenile delinquency to the development of photocopies and pesticides. — The Washington Post, latimes.com, "Jake Tapper's thrilling, uneven McCarthy-era Washington drama, 'The Hellfire Club'," 4 May 2018

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

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about juvenile delinquency

Dictionary Entries near juvenile delinquency

Statistics for juvenile delinquency

Last Updated

17 Jun 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for juvenile delinquency

The first known use of juvenile delinquency was in 1816

See more words from the same year

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for juvenile delinquency

juvenile delinquency

noun

Medical Definition of juvenile delinquency

1 : conduct by a juvenile characterized by antisocial behavior that is subject to legal action

2 : a violation of the law committed by a juvenile that would have been a crime if committed by an adult

juvenile delinquency

noun

Legal Definition of juvenile delinquency

: a violation of the law committed by a juvenile that would have been a crime if committed by an adult also : antisocial behavior by juveniles that is subject to legal action