criminology

American  

[krim-uh-nol-uh-jee] / ˌkrɪm əˈnɒl ə dʒi /

noun

1. the study of crime and criminals: a branch of sociology.

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criminology British  

/ ˌkrɪmɪnəˈlɒdʒɪkəl, ˌkrɪmɪˈnɒlədʒɪ /

noun

1. the scientific study of crime, criminal behaviour, law enforcement, etc See also penology

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Other Word Forms

• criminologic adjective
• criminological adjective
• criminologically adverb
• criminologist noun

Etymology

Origin of criminology

1855–60; < Latin crīmin- (stem of crīmen; crime ) + -o- + -logy

Example Sentences

Dr Emma Cunningham, a criminology expert at the University of East London, says technology comes with its own limitations and, for women to truly feel safe, a real societal change is needed.

From BBC • Mar. 9, 2026

They reveal how he negotiated the fine line between autobiography and fiction and how closely he collaborated with editors, actors and experts in fields ranging from guns and counter-terrorism to pharmaceuticals and criminology.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 26, 2026

The exclusion of state authorities from the probe into Good's killing is likely to undermine public trust, said Edward Maguire, a criminology professor at Arizona State University.

From BBC • Jan. 8, 2026

In the criminology textbooks, they are invariably described as products of a deprived socioeconomic background.

From Slate • Nov. 15, 2025

And I had already taught myself basic criminology.

From "Confessions of a Murder Suspect" by James Patterson