TERMIUM Plus®
From: Translation Bureau
On social media
Consult the Government of Canada’s terminology data bank.
CRIMINAL OFFENCE [2 records]
Record 1 - internal organization data 2026-01-08
Record 1, English
Record 1, Subject field(s)
- Offences and crimes
Record 1, Main entry term, English
- criminal offence
1, record 1, English, criminal%20offence
correct, see observation, noun
Record 1, Abbreviations, English
Record 1, Synonyms, English
- crime 2, record 1, English, crime
correct, noun
Record 1, Textual support, English
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 OBS
A "criminal offence," or "crime," is a serious type of offence sanctioned by the Criminal Code and several other federal statutes as per the federal government's exclusive authority in matters of criminal law. It is considered a violation of a fundamental value of society, like peace or security. Depending on the gravity of the crime, its perpetrator may be prosecuted by summary conviction or by way of indictment. 3, record 1, English, - criminal%20offence
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 2 OBS
criminal offence: Not to be confused with the broader concept designated by the term "criminal offence," that is, any offence sanctioned by federal or provincial legislation. 3, record 1, English, - criminal%20offence
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 3 OBS
criminal offence: term used in the Criminal Code. 3, record 1, English, - criminal%20offence
Record 1, Key term(s)
- criminal offense
Record 1, French
Record 1, Domaine(s)
- Infractions et crimes
Record 1, Main entry term, French
- infraction criminelle
1, record 1, French, infraction%20criminelle
correct, feminine noun
Record 1, Abbreviations, French
Record 1, Synonyms, French
- crime 2, record 1, French, crime
correct, masculine noun
Record 1, Textual support, French
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 OBS
Les «infractions criminelles», ou «crimes», sont un type d'infraction parmi les plus graves. Ces dernières sont sanctionnées par le Code criminel et par certaines autres lois fédérales, en vertu de l'autorité exclusive que possède le gouvernement fédéral en matière de droit criminel. Les crimes portent atteinte à l'une des valeurs fondamentales de la société, par exemple la paix ou la sécurité. Selon leur gravité, les crimes sont punissables par procédure sommaire ou par mise en accusation. 3, record 1, French, - infraction%20criminelle
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 2 OBS
infraction criminelle : Ne pas confondre avec le terme «infraction pénale», qui est une infraction de tout ordre à une loi fédérale ou provinciale. 3, record 1, French, - infraction%20criminelle
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 3 OBS
infraction criminelle : terme employé dans le Code criminel. 3, record 1, French, - infraction%20criminelle
Record 1, Spanish
Record 1, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Infracciones y crímenes
Record 1, Main entry term, Spanish
- crimen
1, record 1, Spanish, crimen
correct, masculine noun
Record 1, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 1, Synonyms, Spanish
- infracción penal 2, record 1, Spanish, infracci%C3%B3n%20penal
feminine noun
- infracción criminal 3, record 1, Spanish, infracci%C3%B3n%20criminal
feminine noun
Record 1, Textual support, Spanish
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 OBS
La palabra crimen, que designa los delitos más graves, ha adquirido especial trascendencia en Derecho Internacional Público. 1, record 1, Spanish, - crimen
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 2 OBS
crimen: Término y observación reproducidos del Glosario Provisional de Términos Jurídicos con la autorización de la Oficina de las Naciones Unidas en Ginebra. 4, record 1, Spanish, - crimen
Record 2 - internal organization data 2025-12-01
Record 2, English
Record 2, Subject field(s)
- Offences and crimes
Record 2, Main entry term, English
- criminal offence
1, record 2, English, criminal%20offence
correct, see observation, noun
Record 2, Abbreviations, English
Record 2, Synonyms, English
- penal offence 2, record 2, English, penal%20offence
see observation, noun
Record 2, Textual support, English
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 OBS
An offence sanctioned by federal or provincial legislation, especially by way of fine or imprisonment. This type of offence is considered a violation of the public order and an offence against the public. It encompasses offences that range from minor offences to crimes, which are considered a violation of a fundamental value of society. 3, record 2, English, - criminal%20offence
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 2 OBS
criminal offence; penal offence: The use of the term "criminal offence" to designate a concept broader than the concept of a "crime" is criticized by some authors. However, in Canada's legal context, the term "criminal offence" is the most well-established term to represent the concept of any offence sanctioned by federal or provincial legislation. 3, record 2, English, - criminal%20offence
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 3 OBS
criminal offence: Not to be confused with the specific concept designated by the term "criminal offence," that is, an offence sanctioned by the Criminal Code and several other federal statutes. 3, record 2, English, - criminal%20offence
Record 2, Key term(s)
- criminal offense
- penal offense
Record 2, French
Record 2, Domaine(s)
- Infractions et crimes
Record 2, Main entry term, French
- infraction pénale
1, record 2, French, infraction%20p%C3%A9nale
correct, feminine noun
Record 2, Abbreviations, French
Record 2, Synonyms, French
Record 2, Textual support, French
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 OBS
Infraction sanctionnée par la législation fédérale ou provinciale, notamment au moyen d'une amende ou d'un emprisonnement. Une infraction pénale est vue comme une atteinte à l'ordre public et est considérée comme étant dirigée contre le public. La gravité de l'infraction varie, allant de l'infraction mineure jusqu'au crime, ce dernier étant considéré comme une atteinte à l'une des valeurs fondamentales de la société. 2, record 2, French, - infraction%20p%C3%A9nale
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 2 OBS
infraction pénale : Ne pas confondre avec le terme «infraction criminelle», qui est une infraction au Code criminel et à certaines autres lois fédérales. 2, record 2, French, - infraction%20p%C3%A9nale
Record 2, Spanish
Record 2, Textual support, Spanish
Copyright notice for the TERMIUM Plus® data bank
© Public Services and Procurement Canada, 2026
TERMIUM Plus®, the Government of Canada's terminology and linguistic data bank
A product of the Translation Bureau
Features
GCtranslate (available on the Government of Canada network only)
Use this artificial intelligence prototype to translate Government of Canada content up to and including Protected B. Available to employees of selected departments and agencies only.
Writing tools
The Language Portal’s writing tools have a new look! Easy to consult, they give you access to a wealth of information that will help you write better in English and French.
Glossaries and vocabularies
Access Translation Bureau glossaries and vocabularies.
- Date Modified:


