The act of stealing property.
"The security camera caught the entire theft as a stranger walked out of the store with an empty shopping cart."
In plain English: Theft is stealing something that does not belong to you without permission.
"The recent theft from the parking lot has left many drivers feeling unsafe."
Usage: Theft refers specifically to the illegal taking of someone else's property without permission, distinguishing it from general loss or borrowing. This noun is often used in legal contexts but applies equally to everyday situations involving stolen goods.
The word theft comes from the Middle English form of thief plus a suffix that creates abstract nouns. It originally referred to the act or practice of stealing, just as it does today.