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noun

criminology

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Criminology (noun) means the academic study of crime, criminals, and why crime happens. Example: “She's studying criminology at university with hopes of joining the police.”

noun
1
The academic study of crime, criminals, and why crime happens.
""So that then begins a sort of rethinking of my idea of criminology," Weisburd said. "Like most other people, my studies were about people. I said, maybe we ought to be more concerned with places."" — Malcolm Gladwell, Talking to Strangers (2019)
"She's studying criminology at university with hopes of joining the police."

How to use criminology

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe scientific study of crime and criminal behaviour.

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Word forms

Plural
criminologies
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She's studying _____ at university with hopes of joining the police.

Etymology

From criminal + -logy ("study of"), ultimately from Greek logos, "word" or "study."

Origin: Greek

Rhymes for criminology

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Frequently asked questions

What does “criminology” mean?
The word “criminology” means the academic study of crime, criminals, and why crime happens. In plain terms, the scientific study of crime and criminal behaviour.
How do you use “criminology” in a sentence?
Here is “criminology” used in a sentence: “She's studying criminology at university with hopes of joining the police.”
What part of speech is “criminology”?
“Criminology” is a noun.
Where does the word “criminology” come from?
The word “criminology” comes from Greek. From criminal + -logy ("study of"), ultimately from Greek logos, "word" or "study.".

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