forgery

noun

forg·​ery ˈfȯr-jə-rē How to pronounce forgery (audio)
ˈfȯrj-rē
plural forgeries
1
archaic : invention
2
: something forged
3
: an act of forging
especially : the crime of falsely and fraudulently making or altering a document (such as a check)

Examples of forgery in a Sentence

that is a cheap forgery, not an authentic Ming Dynasty vase
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
According to the attorney general, other charges included drug possession, evidence tampering and forgery. Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 2 June 2025 The Romans had laws against forgery in 80 BC, and people have been doctoring photos since the medium's invention. ArsTechnica, 29 May 2025 Cherkasov, who was admitted to Johns Hopkins University's graduate school in Washington, D.C., in 2018, is currently serving a five-year prison term in Brazil for document forgery. Isabel Van Brugen, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 May 2025 The Perrysburg Township Police arrested Labrador Monday during a traffic stop on a forgery warrant. Andi Babineau, CNN Money, 21 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for forgery

Word History

Etymology

forge entry 2 + -ery

First Known Use

1583, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of forgery was in 1583

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Forgery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forgery. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

forgery

noun
forg·​ery ˈfōrj-(ə-)rē How to pronounce forgery (audio)
ˈfȯrj-
plural forgeries
1
: something (as a signature) that has been forged
2
: the crime of falsely making or changing a written paper or signing someone else's name

Legal Definition

forgery

noun
forg·​ery
plural forgeries
1
: the act of falsely making, altering, or imitating (as a document or signature) with intent to defraud
also : the crime of committing such an act
2
: something that is forged

More from Merriam-Webster on forgery

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!