stealing
n. uncountable A2 Elementary US //ˈstiɫɪŋ// UK //stˈiːlɪŋ// steal·ing
n. the act of taking something that belongs to someone else without their permission. It is a crime and is generally considered wrong.
n. the action of taking another person's property without permission or legal right and without intending to return it.
Stealing is a serious crime in every country.
The store manager installed security cameras to prevent the stealing of expensive electronics during busy hours.
While some philosophers argue that stealing food to survive is morally defensible, the legal system generally treats the act as a violation of property rights regardless of the perpetrator's motive.
Usage
The gerund form of the verb 'steal' functions as an uncountable noun to describe the general activity or crime.