petit larceny

noun

: larceny involving property of a value below a legally established minimum

Examples of petit larceny 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.
In 2020, Drago was tried and convicted of criminally negligent homicide, petit larceny, and criminal mischief and sentenced to nine months in prison. Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2024 Williams has two pending assault cases in Brooklyn, and the attack came just two days after he was busted on petit larceny charges for stealing a victim’s wallet in Midtown Manhattan, Hall said. John Annese, New York Daily News, 24 June 2024 He was sentenced on April 10 to 60 days of house arrest and three years probation on the petit larceny charge. Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 11 May 2024 October 17, 2022: Miller pleads not guilty to one count each of burglary and petit larceny in Vermont Superior Court for charges of stealing liquor from their neighbor’s unoccupied house. Zoe Guy, Vulture, 30 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for petit larceny 

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1580, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of petit larceny was circa 1580

Dictionary Entries Near petit larceny

Cite this Entry

“Petit larceny.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/petit%20larceny. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.

Legal Definition

petit larceny

see larceny

More from Merriam-Webster on petit larceny

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!