Definition of "looting" in English

noun

1. The act of stealing during a crisis such as a war, riot or natural disaster, when law enforcement is ineffective or absent.

   • Near-synonym: plundering
   • During the looting, the mob stole everything they could and then set fire to the buildings.

verb

1. present participle and gerund of loot

   • While looting the stores the looters took the opportunity for revenge by destroying what they didn't steal.