cybercrime
noun
cy·ber·crime
ˈsī-bər-ˌkrīm 
plural cybercrimes
: criminal activity (such as fraud, theft, or distribution of child pornography) committed using a computer especially to illegally access, transmit, or manipulate data
The growing number of mobile devices, such as phones and tablets, and the popularity of social networks give them new avenues in which to expand their cybercrime.—
Eric Geier
Eric GeierCybercrime is taking a bottom-line toll on the corporate workplace. Last year, losses exceeded $100 million—and that figure continues to skyrocket as security breaches pose an increasing threat to U.S. corporations, banks, and even the government.—Beth Wilson
Beth Wilson
also
: an instance of such activity
The increasing prevalence of cloud computing … has made storing and accessing important electronic data easier and less expensive than ever. However, the expanding number of documents and other information being stored electronically has increased the threat of cybercrimes, including data breaches. —John Squitero
John Squitero
cybercriminal
ˈsī-bər-ˌkri-mə-nᵊl
noun
-ˈkrim-nəl
plural cybercriminals
More small businesses are falling victim to "ransomware," to which malicious code locks up computer files and cybercriminals demand a ransom to free them.
—Ruth Simon
Ruth Simon
Examples of cybercrime in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This reflects a broader shift in cybercrime.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 19 Feb. 2026
That number is a reflection of why sextortion is the fastest-growing cybercrime targeting children in North America.
—Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 18 Feb. 2026
The Nancy Guthrie kidnapping case and the demand for bitcoin ransom have highlighted the prevalence of cybercrimes.
—Molly McCrea, CBS News, 13 Feb. 2026
Kyung-Shick Choi, the director of cybercrime and cybersecurity at Boston University's Metropolitan College, said such residual data can still remain in the server systems that store, process or temporarily cache video files and metadata.
—Ramon Padilla, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cybercrime
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Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 19 Feb. 2026
That number is a reflection of why sextortion is the fastest-growing cybercrime targeting children in North America.
—Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 18 Feb. 2026
The Nancy Guthrie kidnapping case and the demand for bitcoin ransom have highlighted the prevalence of cybercrimes.
—Molly McCrea, CBS News, 13 Feb. 2026
Kyung-Shick Choi, the director of cybercrime and cybersecurity at Boston University's Metropolitan College, said such residual data can still remain in the server systems that store, process or temporarily cache video files and metadata.
—Ramon Padilla, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cybercrime
Cite this Entry
“Cybercrime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cybercrime. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cybercrime
noun
cy·ber·crime
ˈsī-bər-ˌkrīm
: criminal activity (as fraud or theft) committed using a computer especially to illegally access, transmit, or manipulate data
also
: an instance of such activity
Legal Definition
cybercrime
noun
cy·ber·crime
ˈsī-bər-ˌkrīm
: crime (as theft, fraud, intellectual property violations, or distribution of child pornography) committed electronically
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