arson

[ ahr-suhn ]

noun

1. Law. the malicious burning of another's house or property, or in some statutes, the burning of one's own house or property, as to collect insurance.

arson

/ ˈɑːsən /

noun

1. criminal law the act of intentionally or recklessly setting fire to another's property or to one's own property for some improper reason

Derived Forms

• ˈarsonist, noun

Other Words From

• arson·ous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of arson¹

First recorded in 1670–80; from Anglo-French, Old French, from Late Latin ārsiōn-, stem of ārsiō “a burn,” from ārs(us) “burned” (past participle of Latin ārd(ere) “to burn”; ardent ) + -iō -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of arson¹

C17: from Old French, from Medieval Latin ārsiō, from Latin ārdēre to burn; see ardent

Example Sentences

At the time, Troncoso was arrested on suspicion of arson and resisting arrest, resulting in an injury to an officer.

From Los Angeles Times

Prosecutors charged Sandoval with four counts of murder, one felony count of first-degree residential burglary with person present and one felony count of arson of an inhabited structure or property.

From Los Angeles Times

There have been violent riots and arson attacks on sites meant to house, or rumoured to house, asylum seekers, and refugees have been attacked in their tents on Dublin’s streets.

From BBC

Combs is charged with leading an enterprise with a persistent pattern of racketeering activity from 2008 to 2024 that included Combs and his co-conspirators engaging in kidnapping, arson, and forced labor.

From Los Angeles Times

It is understood the same house was targeted in an arson attack last November.

From BBC

Related Words

• torching