Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
dictionary thesaurus view recents

petit larceny

noun
Save Word

Definition of petit larceny

: larceny involving property of a value below a legally established minimum

Examples of petit larceny in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Lisa Barrera, 22, a Bronx resident, was arrested on charges of larceny and petit larceny, the New York Police Department told NBC News. — Janelle Griffith, NBC News, "Dog walker arrested after home camera catches her allegedly stealing from client," 27 Nov. 2019 The Woodbridge woman was charged with burglary and petit larceny. — Lisa M. Bolton, Washington Post, "Prince William County," 21 Aug. 2019 She was later charged with petit larceny and released on probation. — Fox News, "Long Island nanny who swiped cat to save from euthanasia may get to keep it," 8 Aug. 2019 She was charged with petit larceny, NBC News reported. — Robyn Merrett, PEOPLE.com, "Cat Stolen by Nanny Is Returned to Owners Who Wanted to Euthanize It," 16 Aug. 2019 Katz was charged with petit larceny last month and released on probation. — Janelle Griffith, NBC News, "Cat stolen by nanny is returned to owners who wanted to euthanize it," 14 Aug. 2019 The Police Department could not confirm the public advocate’s analysis because before 2010, swipers were charged with petit larceny, not unlawful sale of transportation services, said Phillip Walzak, a spokesman for the Police Department. — New York Times, "Selling MetroCard Swipes Remains Illegal, and a Way of Life," 17 June 2018 The Bermans contacted the police, but Katz turned herself in earlier this month and was charged with petit larceny. — Janelle Griffith, NBC News, "New York nanny says she stole family's cat because they were going to euthanize it," 1 Aug. 2019 The female was charged with grand larceny of a firearm, credit card theft, possession of a schedule I or II narcotic, petit larceny, and trespassing into a vehicle. — Lisa M. Bolton, Washington Post, "Prince William County," 30 May 2018

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

See More

First Known Use of petit larceny

circa 1580, in the meaning defined above

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about petit larceny

Time Traveler for petit larceny

Time Traveler

The first known use of petit larceny was circa 1580

See more words from the same year

Statistics for petit larceny

Last Updated

12 Jan 2020

Cite this Entry

“Petit larceny.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/petit%20larceny. Accessed 22 Feb. 2020.

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for petit larceny

petit larceny

noun

English Language Learners Definition of petit larceny

US, law : the crime of stealing something that does not have a high value

See the full definition for petit larceny in the English Language Learners Dictionary

petit larceny

Legal Definition of petit larceny

see larceny

Comments on petit larceny

What made you want to look up petit larceny? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

pontificate

Listen to the pronounciation of pontificate

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

More Confusing Words—Quiz

  • cats on impossible timber
  • The magician ______ moved the selected card to the top of the deck.
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Add Diction

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games