hate crime

noun

: any of various crimes (such as assault or defacement of property) when motivated by hostility to the victim as a member of a group (such as one based on color, creed, gender, or sexual orientation)

Examples of hate crime in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In November, three people were charged with making a terroristic threat and criminal mischief as a hate crime, among other charges. —Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 7 Feb. 2025

The incident, which is being investigated as a hate crime, took place on Jan. 13 around 7:00 a.m. as the northbound train approached Parsons Blvd. —Ellen Moynihan, New York Daily News, 7 Feb. 2025

This bill would amend Florida’s hate crimes law to include gender and gender identity. —Trans Formations Project, Them, 31 Jan. 2025

In 2024, Jews were targeted in 345 hate crimes across the city’s five boroughs, more than all other minority groups combined. —Larry Luxner, Sun Sentinel, 30 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1960, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

hate crime

noun

plural hate crimes

: any of various crimes (as assault) when motivated by hostility to the victim based on social characteristics (as color, creed, gender, sexual orientation, or national origin)

Legal Definition

hate crime

noun

: a crime that violates the victim's civil rights and that is motivated by hostility to the victim's race, religion, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender