juvenile delinquency

noun

: conduct by a juvenile characterized by antisocial behavior that is beyond parental control and therefore subject to legal action

: a violation of the law committed by a juvenile and not punishable by death or life imprisonment

juvenile delinquent noun

Examples of juvenile delinquency 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.

An unidentified 14-year-old male faces juvenile delinquency versions of the same charges. — Todd Prussman, Boston Herald, 19 Mar. 2026 Anxiety over juvenile delinquency is not new. — Theara Coleman, TheWeek, 11 May 2026 Willett filed to run for the 323rd District Court, which hears child welfare and juvenile delinquency cases. — Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Feb. 2026 Minors who have been the victims of human trafficking would maintain immunity from criminal liability or juvenile delinquency proceedings. — Christa Swanson, CBS News, 16 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for juvenile delinquency

Word History

First Known Use

1816, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of juvenile delinquency was in 1816

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juvenile court

juvenile delinquency

juvenile diabetes

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Juvenile delinquency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/juvenile%20delinquency. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

juvenile delinquency

noun

: violation of the law (as stealing) or antisocial behavior (as playing hooky from school) by a young person

Medical Definition

juvenile delinquency

noun

: conduct by a juvenile characterized by antisocial behavior that is subject to legal action

: a violation of the law committed by a juvenile that would have been a crime if committed by an adult

Legal Definition

juvenile delinquency

noun

: a violation of the law committed by a juvenile that would have been a crime if committed by an adult

also : antisocial behavior by juveniles that is subject to legal action

juvenile delinquency

noun

Examples of juvenile delinquency in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition

Legal Definition

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