| 1 |
[count] an illegal activity or action:
commit a crime (=do something illegal): She was unaware
that she had committed a crime.
the scene of a crime (=where it happened): There were no
apparent clues at the scene of the crime.
solve a crime (=find out who did it): It was a crime that
would take police years to solve. |
1a. [uncount] illegal activities in general:
fight/combat crime: new laws to help us combat crime effectively
juvenile crime (=crime committed by young people): an increase
in juvenile crime
organized crime (=secret organizations that commit a lot of
crimes): There were stories about links between the government
and organized crime.
crime prevention: Crime prevention experts are helping to
make the hospital secure.
crime rate (=the number of crimes that people commit): The
crime rate in the city has risen sharply.
rising crime (=crime that is increasing): Rising crime is
a key election issue. |
| 1b. a crime against humanity [count]
a very serious crime that makes a lot of people suffer, often committed
during a war |
| 2 |
[singular] something that is wrong or a mistake:
be a crime to do something: It's not a crime to be curious.
Her only crime was to be in love with the wrong man. |