convict

1 of 3

adjective

con·​vict kən-ˈvikt 

archaic

: having been convicted

convict

2 of 3

verb

con·​vict kən-ˈvikt 

convicted; convicting; convicts

transitive verb

1

: to find or prove to be guilty

The jury convicted them of fraud.

2

: to convince of error or sinfulness

intransitive verb

: to find a defendant guilty

Remarkably, two of the jurors boldly dug in their heels and pressed to convict.

—John Grisham

convict

3 of 3

noun

con·​vict ˈkän-ˌvikt 

1

: a person convicted of and under sentence for a crime

2

: a person serving a usually long prison sentence

Synonyms

Verb

• condemn

Noun

• con
• jailbird

Examples of convict in a Sentence

Verb

There is sufficient evidence to convict.

He was convicted in federal court.

The jury convicted them on three counts of fraud.

Have you ever been convicted of a crime?

Noun

a warning that the three escaped convicts were armed and dangerous

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

California They were wrongfully convicted as teens. —Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2024

Armstrong was ultimately convicted of murder and sentenced to 90 years in prison. —Greg Wehner, Fox News, 18 June 2024

If convicted, they could be sentenced to time in prison, but state law allows for less severe penalties, including probation, depending on their circumstances, like past criminal history. —Elena Santa Cruz, The Arizona Republic, 18 June 2024

If convicted, his case will be considered under the 8-4 jury vote, the lowest threshold in the country for a death sentence. —Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 17 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb, Adjective, and Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French convicter, from Latin convictus, past participle of convincere to refute, convict

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing convict

• escaped convict

Kids Definition

convict

1 of 2 verb

con·​vict kən-ˈvikt 

: to find or prove guilty

convict

2 of 2 noun

con·​vict ˈkän-ˌvikt 

: a person serving a prison sentence

Legal Definition

convict

1 of 2 transitive verb

con·​vict kən-ˈvikt 

: to find guilty of a criminal offense

was convicted of fraud

compare acquit

convict

2 of 2 noun

con·​vict ˈkän-ˌvikt 

: a person convicted of and serving a sentence for a crime

Etymology

Transitive verb

Latin convictus past participle of convincere to find guilty, prove, from com- with, together + vincer to conquer