juvenile delinquency

US: /ˈdʒuvənəl dɪˈlɪŋkwənsi/

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

ju•ve•nile de•lin•quen•cy /ˈdʒuvənəl dɪˈlɪŋkwənsi/  n. [uncountable]

1. Law illegal or criminal behavior by a minor or someone not old enough to be treated as an adult in a court of law.

ju•venile delin•quent, n. [countable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

ju′venile delin′quency, 

1. Law, Sociology behavior of a child or youth that is so marked by violation of law, persistent mischievousness, antisocial behavior, disobedience, or intractability as to thwart correction by parents and to constitute a matter for action by the juvenile courts.

• 1810–20

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

juvenile delinquency noun

1. antisocial or criminal conduct by juvenile delinquents