larceny

noun

lar·​ce·​ny ˈlär-sə-nē How to pronounce larceny (audio)
ˈlär-snē
plural larcenies
Synonyms of larcenynext
: the unlawful taking of personal property with intent to deprive the rightful owner of it permanently
was arrested and charged with larceny

Synonyms

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Michael Giano, 36, was charged Wednesday with two counts each of third-degree burglary and second-degree criminal mischief and a single count of sixth-degree larceny, according to the Wethersfield Police Department. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 7 Mar. 2025 Sage was convicted of larceny and disseminating indecent material to a minor. —Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, Fox News, 19 Feb. 2025 He was arrested in June 2024 after allegedly shooting at deputies who were trying to arrest him on felony larceny charges. —David Matthews, New York Daily News, 29 Jan. 2025 Hayden’s office, the Boston Police Department, and regional retailer groups and small business owners last year launched the Safe Shopping Initiative — an effort to increase consumer safety and help store managers strategize responses to shoplifting and retail larcenies. —Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 28 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for larceny

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of larceny was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing larceny

Browse Nearby Words

larceny
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Cite this Entry

“Larceny.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/larceny. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

larceny

noun
lar·​ce·​ny ˈlärs-nē How to pronounce larceny (audio)
-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 How to pronounce larceny (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on larceny

Nglish: Translation of larceny for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about larceny

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