noncrime

noun

non·​crime ˌnän-ˈkrīm How to pronounce noncrime (audio)
: something that is not a crime : an activity or type of behavior that is not criminal
There is, of course, crime in Oakland, but there's also lots of noncrime, lots of citizens taking walks and smiling at each other in grocery stores and, oh yes, paying taxes.Jon Carroll
often used before another noun
The city has an ordinance that imposes fines on property owners after three noncrime alarms during a 12-month period.Cornelius Frolik

Word History

First Known Use

1909, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of noncrime was in 1909

Dictionary Entries Near noncrime

Cite this Entry

“Noncrime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/noncrime. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on noncrime

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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