criminology

noun

crim·​i·​nol·​o·​gy ˌkri-mə-ˈnä-lə-jē 

: the scientific study of crime as a social phenomenon, of criminals, and of penal treatment

criminological

ˌkri-mə-nə-ˈlä-ji-kəl 

adjective

criminologically

ˌkri-mə-nə-ˈlä-ji-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

criminologist

ˌkri-mə-ˈnä-lə-jist 

noun

Did you know?

Criminology includes the study of all aspects of crime and law enforcement—criminal psychology, the social setting of crime, prohibition and prevention, investigation and detection, capture and punishment. Thus, many of the people involved—legislators, social workers, probation officers, judges, etc.—could possibly be considered criminologists, though the word usually refers only to scholars and researchers.

Examples of criminology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Johnny Nhan, professor of criminology and criminal justice at Texas Christian University, said school behavior is a symptom of something bigger happening outside of school. — Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Oct. 2026

Doctor directs strategic initiatives at the National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology and Education Center and teaches criminology and criminal justice at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. — Armando Regil Velasco, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026

This touring exhibition devoted to serial killers and criminology claims to have the largest collection of authentic true-crime artifacts in the country, including psychiatric reports and personal belongings. — Doug George, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026

More than a month after news of the stabbings in the small college town gripped the nation, Kohberger, then a PhD student of criminology at nearby Washington State University, was arrested in his home state of Pennsylvania. — Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin crīmin-, crīmen "accusation, crime" + -o- + -logy

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for criminology

• aetiology
• anthropology
• archaeology
• archeology
• audiology
• cardiology
• climatology
• cohomology
• cosmetology
• demonology
• dermatology
• egyptology

Kids Definition

criminology

noun

crim·​i·​nol·​o·​gy ˌkrim-ə-ˈnäl-ə-jē 

: a scientific study of crime, of criminals, and of their punishment or correction

criminological

ˌkrim-ən-ᵊl-ˈäj-i-kəl 

adjective

criminologist

ˌkrim-ə-ˈnäl-ə-jəst 

noun

Medical Definition

criminology

noun

crim·​i·​nol·​o·​gy ˌkrim-ə-ˈnäl-ə-jē 

plural criminologies

: the scientific study of crime as a social phenomenon, of criminals, and of penal treatment

criminological

-ən-ᵊl-ˈäj-i-kəl 

adjective

criminologically

-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

criminologist

ˌkrim-ə-ˈnäl-ə-jəst 

noun

Legal Definition

criminology

noun

crim·​i·​nol·​o·​gy ˌkri-mə-ˈnä-lə-jē 

: the scientific study of crime as a social phenomenon, of criminals, and of penal treatment

criminological

ˌkri-mə-nə-ˈlä-jə-kəl 

adjective

criminologically adverb

criminologist

ˌkri-mə-ˈnä-lə-jist 

noun