Misdemeanor vs. Misdemeanour — What's the Difference?

A misdemeanor (American English, spelled misdemeanour in British English) is any "lesser" criminal act in some common law legal systems. Misdemeanors are generally punished less severely than more serious felonies, but theoretically more so than administrative infractions (also known as minor, petty, or summary offences) and regulatory offences.

(British spelling) misdemeanor

A misdeed.

A crime less serious than a felony

(Law) A criminal offense that is less serious than a felony and generally punishable by a fine, a jail term of up to a year, or both.

(legal) A crime usually punishable upon conviction by a small fine or by a short term of imprisonment. In the USA, misdemeanants usually are incarcerated in county jail for less than one year, but felons usually are incarcerated in state or federal prison for more than one year. Crimes which are punishable by large fines or by longer imprisonment are sometimes called felonies.

Any act of misbehavior.

Ill behavior; evil conduct; fault.

A crime less than a felony.

A crime less serious than a felony