Word
criminology
Phoneticscrim·i·nol·o·gy, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌkɹɪmɪˈnɑɫədʒi/
UK/kɹˌɪmɪnˈɒlədʒi/
Definition
n. the study of crime and criminals. It looks at why people commit crimes and how society can stop them.
n. the scientific study of the nature, extent, causes, and control of criminal behaviour. It encompasses both the social and psychological factors that lead to crime and the legal systems designed to prevent it.
Examples
“She decided to study criminology to help solve crimes.”
“The university offers a degree in criminology that combines psychology with the legal system to understand criminal behaviour.”
“Advances in criminology have shifted the focus from purely punitive measures to rehabilitation programs that address the underlying social and economic factors contributing to recidivism.”
Examples
simple
“She decided to study criminology to help solve crimes.”
contextual
“The university offers a degree in criminology that combines psychology with the legal system to understand criminal behaviour.”
complex
“Advances in criminology have shifted the focus from purely punitive measures to rehabilitation programs that address the underlying social and economic factors contributing to recidivism.”
Real-World Examples
“Research in rural criminology has shown how close community networks can excuse abuse and protect perpetrators.” “Cybercrime groups now integrate AI into almost every operational phase, says Dr Andrew Childs, a criminology lecturer at Griffith University.” Etymology
From criminal + -logy.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/criminology