larceny
noun
lar·ce·ny
ˈlär-sə-nē 
ˈlär-snē
plural larcenies
: the unlawful taking of personal property with intent to deprive the rightful owner of it permanently
was arrested and charged with larceny
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
Lewis was charged with one count of armed robbery and is currently on probation after pleading guilty to larceny in May.
—
Isabelle Friedman, Boston Herald, 28 Oct. 2025
Manuel Betancourt-Renteria Manuel Betancourt-Renteria of Mexico has 10 convictions, including two counts of assault, possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, larceny and five traffic offenses, according to DHS.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025
When Brown was 22 years old, he was charged in at least four separate cases that included shoplifting, larceny, breaking and entering, and felony conspiracy.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
McClure was, from 2000 to 2009, convicted of 1st degree burglary, robbery with a dangerous weapon and larceny of a motor vehicle.
—Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for larceny
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Isabelle Friedman, Boston Herald, 28 Oct. 2025
Manuel Betancourt-Renteria Manuel Betancourt-Renteria of Mexico has 10 convictions, including two counts of assault, possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, larceny and five traffic offenses, according to DHS.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025
When Brown was 22 years old, he was charged in at least four separate cases that included shoplifting, larceny, breaking and entering, and felony conspiracy.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
McClure was, from 2000 to 2009, convicted of 1st degree burglary, robbery with a dangerous weapon and larceny of a motor vehicle.
—Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for larceny
Cite this Entry
“Larceny.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/larceny. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Legal Definition
larceny
noun
lar·ce·ny
ˈlär-sə-nē
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
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