larceny

noun

lar·​ce·​ny ˈlär-sə-nē 

ˈlär-snē

plural larcenies

: the unlawful taking of personal property with intent to deprive the rightful owner of it permanently

was arrested and charged with larceny

Synonyms of larceny

• robbery
• stealing
• theft

Examples of larceny in a Sentence

He was arrested and charged with larceny.

He has been accused of several larcenies.

Recent Examples on the Web

Wesley is charged in Cabarrus County with felony breaking and/or entering, felony larceny after breaking and/or entering, felony conspiracy, and felony possession with intent to distribute Schedule IV narcotics, a warrant reports. —Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 23 June 2026

Police said Middletown detectives traveled to New York to bring Lane back to Connecticut, where he was charged with attempt to commit first-degree assault, first-degree reckless endangerment, carrying a pistol without a permit, fifth-degree larceny and second-degree breach of peace. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 18 June 2026

He was arraigned on Friday in 37th District Court in Warren on one count each of breaking and entering and larceny from a motor vehicle, court records show. —Paula Wethington, CBS News, 15 June 2026

Suhail Kwatra was indicted by the Suffolk DA’s office on a felony charge for larceny over $1,200 by single scheme, according to court records out of Suffolk Superior Court. —Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 12 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French larecin theft, from Latin latrocinium robbery, from latron-, latro mercenary soldier, probably from Greek *latrōn, from latron pay

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing larceny

• grand larceny
• petit larceny
• petty larceny

Kids Definition

larceny

noun

lar·​ce·​ny ˈlärs-nē 

-ᵊn-ē

plural larcenies

: the unlawful taking of personal property with the intention of depriving the rightful owner of it permanently : theft

larcenous

-nəs, 

-ᵊn-əs

adjective

Legal Definition

larceny

noun

lar·​ce·​ny ˈlär-sə-nē 

plural larcenies

: the unlawful taking and carrying away of personal property with the intent to deprive the rightful owner of it permanently

also : any of several types of theft (as embezzlement or obtaining another's property by false pretenses) that have been traditionally distinguished from larceny

Note: Under the Model Penal Code and in states that follow it, larceny is a type of theft. In states where larceny is currently defined as a separate crime, it may include the crimes that were distinct from it under common law.

— grand larceny

: felonious larceny of property having a value greater than an amount fixed by law

also : larceny accompanied by aggravating circumstances (as the use of threats)

— larceny by trick

: larceny of property obtained by the use of misrepresentation especially in getting an owner to hand over something in the belief that it is for temporary purposes compare false pretenses

— larceny from the person

: larceny of property held by or within the immediate control of its owner

— petit larceny \ ˈpe-​tē-​ \

: larceny of property having a market value below an amount fixed by law

called also petty larceny

Note: Petit larceny is a misdemeanor.

Etymology

modification of Anglo-French larcine theft, from Old French larrecin, from Latin latrocinium robbery, from latron-, latro mercenary soldier, brigand