A term used in many states of the U.S. for pilferage, depending on the value of the goods stolen; in other words, a small amount of money or objects of little value: Petty larceny is a misdemeanor punishable with a specified time in a county jail instead of a state prison.

Petit larceny is an older spelling of this form of larceny and petty larceny has an advantage because its pronunciation is more obvious; however, the disadvantage is that this spelling suggests a "triviality" or of little importance.