Definition of "loansharking" [loansharking]

• Informal The practice of lending money at usurious, often illegal interest rates. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "That has led to other commercial development in associated industries such as loansharking, addiction services and family counseling."
• "One thing neither post discusses is the role of loansharking and illegal forms of credit."
• "Sources say that McLaughlin, 41, and Peter Tagliavia, 40, who are identified in court papers as "CW-1" and "CW-2," engaged numerous wiseguys and mob associates in criminal conversations involving gambling, loansharking extortion, bribery, home invasions, assaults - and murder."