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.
Betancourt has 10 prior arrests, including for strangulation, petit larceny, assault on a police officer and forcible touching. Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 25 June 2025 Mogollon was previously arrested by the New York City Police Department in April for petit larceny and by the New Jersey Police Department in May for residential burglary, conspiracy residential burglary and possession of burglary tools, according to DHS. Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 17 June 2025 On April 25, 2025, the New York City Police Department arrested Pineda for petit larceny. Nick Mordowanec, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 June 2025 New York City Police arrested him in 2025 for petit larceny, a misdemeanor for small-time theft. Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 13 June 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Petit larceny.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/petit%20larceny. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

Legal Definition

petit larceny

see larceny

More from Merriam-Webster on petit larceny

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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