Word forms: misdemeanorsregional note: in BRIT, use misdemeanour
1. countable noun
A misdemeanor is an act that some people consider to be wrong or unacceptable.
[formal]
Paul appeared before the faculty to account for his various misdemeanors.
Synonyms: offence, misconduct, infringement, trespass More Synonyms of misdemeanor
2. countable noun
In the United States and other countries where the legal system distinguishes between very serious crimes and less serious ones, a misdemeanor is a less serious crime.
[law]
Under state law, it is a misdemeanor to possess a firearm on school premises.
misdemeanor in American English
(ˌmɪsdəˈminər)
noun
1. Rare
the act of misbehaving
2. Law
any minor offense, as the breaking of a municipal ordinance, for which statute provides a lesser punishment than for a felony: the penalty is usually a fine or imprisonment for a short time (usually less than one year) ina local jail, workhouse, etc.