theft

noun

ˈtheft 

1

a

: the act of stealing

specifically : the felonious taking and removing of personal property with intent to deprive the rightful owner of it

b

: an unlawful taking (as by embezzlement or burglary) of property

2

: a stolen base in baseball

3

obsolete : something stolen

Synonyms

• robbery
• stealing
• kidnaping

Examples of theft in a Sentence

The theft of the jewelry and other valuables was immediately reported to the police.

He was found guilty of theft.

Recent Examples on the Web

The act requires the detention, without bond, of non citizens charged with or convicted of crimes such as theft, assaulting a police officer or drunk driving. —Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 11 Sep. 2025

His record includes convictions for theft, breaking and entering in 2013, and armed robbery in 2015. —Peter D'abrosca , Stepheny Price , Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 11 Sep. 2025

Electric cars vs common theft methods The old-fashioned way of stealing cars by taking the keys from the owner still works, but EVs have deterrents against some of the new theft methods. —Keenan Thompson, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025

Detection rates for larceny and theft are about 25 percent. —Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 11 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English thiefthe, from Old English thīefth; akin to Old English thēof thief

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing theft

• anti-theft
• grand theft
• identity theft
• petit theft
• petty theft

Rhymes for theft

• cleft
• deft
• heft
• left
• bereft

Kids Definition

theft

noun

ˈtheft 

: the act of stealing

Legal Definition

theft

noun

: larceny

broadly : a criminal taking of the property or services of another without consent

Note: Theft commonly encompasses by statute a variety of forms of stealing formerly treated as distinct crimes.

— grand theft

: theft of property or services whose value exceeds a specified amount or of a specified kind of property (as an automobile)

Note: Grand theft is a felony.

— identity theft

: the unauthorized use of another's means of identification (as name or social security number) for the purpose of committing theft or another crime

— petty theft

: theft of property or services whose value is below a specified amount

called also petit theft

Note: Petty theft is a misdemeanor but may be aggravated by prior convictions.

Etymology

Old English thiefth