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.
Margaret Maheu, 22, of Somers was arrested Tuesday on one count of fourth-degree larceny, according to Connecticut State Police. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 17 Apr. 2025 But this isn’t one of those early ’90s movies in which an awful guy becomes less so after a near-death experience, substituting larceny for a brain tumor. —Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 2 Apr. 2025 Ayala was arrested on March 24 on charges of third-degree larceny and criminal attempt at third-degree larceny. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 8 Apr. 2025 The tower was charged with larceny and participated in a diversion program, after which his record was expunged. —Ginny Monk, Hartford Courant, 8 Apr. 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

larcenous
larceny
larch
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Larceny.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/larceny. Accessed 23 Apr. 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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