felony

A felony is a very serious crime that can get someone into big trouble with the law.

When people talk about felonies, they often mean crimes like murder, robbery, or assault. A person who commits a felony might end up going to prison for a long time. For example, if someone breaks into a bank and steals money, they could be charged with felony theft. The word "felony" is also used in some countries to describe certain types of white-collar crimes, like embezzlement or bribery, that involve breaking the law while working or doing business. In general, though, the term refers to serious offenses against society that can have severe consequences for those who commit them.