: the willful or malicious burning of property (such as a building) especially with criminal or fraudulent intent
Arson was determined to be the cause of the fire.
Examples of arson in a Sentence
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, but investigators suspect arson.
The town has suffered a rash of arson attacks.
The town has suffered a rash of arsons.
Recent Examples on the Web
Los Angeles Fire Department arson investigator Lance Jimenez testified that the device was assembled using an Olde English 800 bottle, gasoline, a designer handkerchief and a lighter.
—
Bethany Brown, People.com, 29 May 2025
On Wednesday, arson investigator Lance Jimenez, who investigated the car fire that damaged Kid Cudi’s Porsche beyond repair in 2012, and Diddy’s former stylist both testified.
—Brie Stimson , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 29 May 2025
The song will serve as the opening theme song for Smoke, a series about a detective and an arson investigator in pursuit of a pair of serial arsonists.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 29 May 2025
The motion was triggered by testimony from arson investigator Lance Jimenez, who spoke about fingerprint evidence allegedly linked to a 2011 trespassing incident at the home of rapper Kid Cudi, a central figure in the broader case involving Combs.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for arson
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Bethany Brown, People.com, 29 May 2025
On Wednesday, arson investigator Lance Jimenez, who investigated the car fire that damaged Kid Cudi’s Porsche beyond repair in 2012, and Diddy’s former stylist both testified.
—Brie Stimson , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 29 May 2025
The song will serve as the opening theme song for Smoke, a series about a detective and an arson investigator in pursuit of a pair of serial arsonists.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 29 May 2025
The motion was triggered by testimony from arson investigator Lance Jimenez, who spoke about fingerprint evidence allegedly linked to a 2011 trespassing incident at the home of rapper Kid Cudi, a central figure in the broader case involving Combs.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for arson
Cite this Entry
“Arson.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arson. Accessed 1 Jun. 2025.
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Legal Definition
Etymology
Anglo-French arsoun, alteration of Old French arsin, literally, conflagration, from ars, past participle of ardre to burn
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