criminal law

noun

: the law of crimes and their punishments

Examples of criminal law in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Some criminal law experts, however, said the reform has been long overdue. — Yumi Asada, CNN Money, 13 June 2026 Clayton came into the role without experience in criminal law. — Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 11 June 2026 Once a president can recast criminal law enforcement as war, the danger is not confined to Venezuela or foreign battlefields. — Jon Duffy, Mercury News, 25 June 2026 Juvenile court is not ‘kiddy court’ Many young people who end up in court are accused of delinquency – actions that break the criminal law, such as stealing a car or breaking into someone’s house. — Jay Blitzman, The Conversation, 8 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for criminal law

Word History

First Known Use

1672, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of criminal law was in 1672

Rhymes for criminal law

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Browse Nearby Words

criminalize
criminal law
criminal lawyer
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Cite this Entry

“Criminal law.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/criminal%20law. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Legal Definition

criminal law

noun
: public law that deals with crimes and their prosecution compare civil law

Note: Substantive criminal law defines crimes, and procedural criminal law sets down criminal procedure. Substantive criminal law was originally common law for the most part. It was later codified and is now found in federal and state statutory law.

More from Merriam-Webster on criminal law

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about criminal law

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