By the 19th century the word had come to mean any kind of violent behavior; nowadays, mayhem can be used to suggest any kind of chaos or disorder, as in "there was mayhem in the streets …

MAYHEM definition: 1. a situation in which there is little or no order or control: 2. a situation in which there is…. Learn more.

Mayhem is a Norwegian black metal band formed in Oslo in 1984. They were one of the pioneers of the Norwegian black metal scene, and their music has profoundly influenced the black metal …

MAYHEM definition: the crime of willfully inflicting a bodily injury on another so as to make the victim less capable of self-defense or, under modern statutes, so as to cripple or mutilate the …

1. Law The criminal offense of willfully maiming, disabling, or disfiguring a person. 2. Infliction of violent injury on a person or thing; wanton destruction: children committing mayhem in the …

Definition of mayhem noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

Dec 23, 2025 · Available in an instant, it can be firmly grasped and employed to scrape, gouge, rake, and generally wreak mayhem on any pest who accelerates into assaultive status.

Discover the meaning of 'mayhem', explore its usage in everyday language, popular idioms, and fun facts that make this word fascinating. Perfect for learners and curious minds!

California Penal Code § 203 PC defines “Mayhem” as the act of unlawfully or maliciously attacking another in a way that causes disfigurement or disability.

may•hem (mā′ hem, mā′ əm), n. Law the crime of willfully inflicting a bodily injury on another so as to make the victim less capable of self-defense or, under modern statutes, so as to cripple or …