Meaning & Definition of Arson in English

Detailed Definitions

• Definition: The intentional act of setting fire to property, especially to cause damage or to defraud insurance.

  Example Sentence: The businessman was charged with arson after his warehouse burned down under suspicious circumstances.

• Definition: A crime involving the burning of property with the intent to cause harm or damage.

  Example Sentence: The police are investigating the case as a suspected arson due to the lack of electrical failures.

Etymology

Origin: From Middle English 'arsoun', from Old French 'arson', from Latin 'ardere' meaning 'to burn'.

Synonyms

Common Phrases and Expressions

• commit arson: To intentionally set fire to something, usually for illegal purposes.
• charge with arson: To accuse or prosecute someone for the crime of arson.
• arson investigation: An inquiry into the circumstances and causes surrounding a suspected act of arson.

Translations

• Spanish: incendio intencionado

• French: incendie criminel

• German: Brandstiftung

• Russian: поджог

Related Words

• incendiary: Causing fires; tending to stir up conflict or rebellion.

• pyromaniac: A person with an uncontrollable impulse to set fires.

• arsonist: A person who commits arson.

Slang Meanings of arson

• Meaning: Burn the place down

  Example Sentence: When the party got out of control, he joked about burning the place down.

• Meaning: Firestarter

  Example Sentence: He's such a firestarter; you just can't trust him with matches.