1. The willful desire to cause harm or destruction to public and private property: "They were arrested for being involved in vandalism."
2. Deliberately mischievous or malicious destruction or damage of property: "It is easy to see the vandalism to public buildings that is done by those who want to cause damage and destruction."
3. The willful or ignorant destruction of artistic or literary treasures: "Someone broke into the art exhibition and did extensive vandalism to many of the objects that were there."

Vandalism includes behavior; such as, breaking windows, slashing tires, spray painting a wall with graffiti, and destroying a computer system through the use of a computer virus.

Because the destruction of public and private property poses a threat to society, modern law statutes make vandalism a crime.

The penalties upon conviction may be a fine, a jail sentence, an order to pay for repairs or replacement; or all three of these could be imposed.