Definition of: misdemeanor

(mis′di·mē′nər) noun
1. Misbehavior; a misdeed.
2. Law Any offense less than a felony. In England the distinction between a felony and a misdemeanor is still maintained. In the United States this distinction has, in most States, either been abolished or is treated in a manner that makes it of no practical value. Compare FELONY. Also Brit. mis′de·mean′our. See synonyms under OFFENSE.