What does bribery mean?
Bribery is the practice of offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting something of value—most often money—in order to influence the actions of someone who holds power, authority, or trust. It is most commonly discussed in connection with public officials: politicians, judges, customs officers, and civil servants whose decisions can be swayed by illicit payments. In law, bribery is treated as a serious crime in most jurisdictions, frequently prosecuted alongside related offenses such as corruption, fraud, and extortion. The word functions almost exclusively as an uncountable noun and belongs to a formal register, appearing most often in news reporting, legal documents, and political debate. Its connotations are entirely negative, signaling dishonesty and the abuse of entrusted power. Because bribery undermines fair governance and public confidence, it is also central to international anti-corruption efforts, making the term essential vocabulary for anyone following politics, business ethics, or criminal justice.
nounThe act or practice of offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting something of value—typically money—to influence the actions of someone in a position of power or trust, usually a public official.
- The criminal offense or practice of offering money or gifts to influence the conduct of a person holding public office or official responsibility.
- More broadly, any act of offering inducements to corrupt the judgment or conduct of someone in a position of trust.
"The senator was indicted on charges of bribery after accepting cash from a defense contractor."
"The company was fined heavily for bribery of foreign officials under anti-corruption laws."
"He denied any wrongdoing, insisting that the payment was a consulting fee and not bribery."
Rarely used; the noun is almost always uncountable. The plural appears occasionally in legal or historical texts referring to multiple distinct acts of bribery.
"The court records catalogued numerous small briberies uncovered during the investigation."
The word 'bribe' may descend from an Old French term for a scrap of bread handed to beggars — today's multi-million-dollar kickbacks started as crumbs.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of bribery
Bribery derives from the verb "bribe," which entered English in late Middle English via Old French "briber," meaning to beg or pilfer, and the related noun "bribe," originally denoting a piece of bread given to a beggar. The derived noun "bribery" appeared in English by the sixteenth century, when it already referred to the corruption of officials. Its sense shifted over time from petty begging and theft to the deliberate buying of influence, reflecting how the practice itself came to be seen as a grave abuse of office.
Related word forms
How bribery is actually used
"Bribery" is an uncountable noun used mainly in formal, legal, and journalistic contexts. It carries strongly negative connotations and typically appears in phrases about allegations, charges, convictions, or laws. The countable plural "briberies" exists but is rare.