criminology: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Academic
Quick answer
What does “criminology” mean?
The scientific study of crime, criminal behaviour, and law enforcement.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The scientific study of crime, criminal behaviour, and law enforcement.
The interdisciplinary academic and practical field that examines the causes, nature, control, consequences, and prevention of criminal behaviour, both on individual and social levels. It involves sociology, psychology, law, and forensic science.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The word is identical in both dialects.
Connotations
Neutral academic/professional field in both dialects.
Frequency
Equal frequency in academic and professional contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “criminology” in a Sentence
[Subject] studies/teaches/researches criminology.[Subject] has a background/degree in criminology.Criminology is a branch of [Social Science].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “criminology” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A - No verb form.
American English
- N/A - No verb form.
adverb
British English
- N/A - No adverb form.
American English
- N/A - No adverb form.
adjective
British English
- criminological theory
- criminological perspective
American English
- criminological research
- criminological approach
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. May appear in security consultancy contexts.
Academic
Very common. A core subject in social science faculties.
Everyday
Uncommon outside of discussions about university courses or crime documentaries.
Technical
Common in legal, sociological, and law enforcement professional discourse.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “criminology”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “criminology”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “criminology”
- Using 'criminology' to mean the actual act of committing a crime.
- Pronouncing it as /kraɪˈmɪnələdʒi/ (with a long 'i').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Criminology is the theoretical study of crime's causes and nature. Criminal justice focuses on the system and practical aspects (police, courts, prisons).
No, it is not a requirement, but it can provide valuable background knowledge for certain investigative or analytical roles.
A criminologist studies crime patterns and theories. A criminalist (or forensic scientist) analyses physical evidence from crime scenes.
No. It identifies statistical risk factors and social correlations, but it cannot predict individual behaviour with certainty.
The scientific study of crime, criminal behaviour, and law enforcement.
Criminology is usually formal, academic in register.
Criminology: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkrɪmɪˈnɒlədʒi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkrɪmɪˈnɑːlədʒi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this academic term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a CRIMINAL writing his LOG in a notebook while being studied by an OLOGIST (like a biologist). Criminal + log + ology = criminology.
Conceptual Metaphor
CRIME IS A DISEASE (criminology diagnoses causes and prescribes societal cures).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary focus of criminology?