adj · noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
UK:pēd'-ə-fīl'
UK:/ˈpiː.dəˈkɹɪm.ɪ.nəl/
Canada, US:pĕd'-ə-fīl'
Canada, US:/ˈpɛ.dəˈkɹɪm.ɪ.nəl/
Canada, US:/ˈpɛ.doʊˈkɹɪm.ɪ.nəl/
Australian:pĕd'-ə-fīl'
Australian:/ˈpe.dəˈkɹɪm.ɪ.nəl/
Australian:/ˈpɛ.dəʉˈkɹɪm.ɪ.nəl/
1
adj
Meaning 1
Pertaining to child sexual abuse.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: US
Examples
According to TF1: “[The] Justice considers that the lack of moderation, cooperation with law enforcement and the tools offered by Telegram (disposable number, crypto, etc.) makes him an accomplice in drug trafficking, pedocriminal offenses and fraud.”https://fox5sandiego.com/news/telegram-founder-pavel-durov-arrested-in-france/amp/
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
A person who commits child sexual abuse; a child molester.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: US
Examples
"Here lives pedocriminal J. Rivoire. The Canadian justice is asking for his extradition. France's is refusing. We are ashamed," the message reads, in French.https://www.cbc.ca/lite/story/1.6716076
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
History
Etymology
From pedo- (“child”) + -phile, after Ancient Greek παιδοφῐ́λης (paidophĭ́lēs) (from παῖς (paîs, “boy, child”) + φιλέω (philéō, “to love”)), and from Middle English cryminal, borrowed from Anglo-Norman criminal, from Late Latin criminalis, from Latin crimen (“crime”).
