What is the legal term for engaging in an agreement to commit a crime?

The legal term that defines the act of engaging in an agreement to commit a crime is "conspiracy." Conspiracy involves two or more individuals agreeing to pursue an unlawful act and taking steps toward its execution. This agreement can involve planning and coordinating details about how the crime will be carried out, thereby establishing criminal intent and collaboration between parties.

In legal contexts, conspiracy does not require the actual completion of the criminal act; rather, the mere agreement and any overt act toward achieving that goal can suffice for charges. This is crucial because it allows law enforcement to intervene before a crime is committed, thereby preventing potential harm or damage.

The other options do not accurately convey the concept of an agreement to commit a crime. Collusion generally pertains to secret or unlawful cooperation, often in a broader sense and not exclusively criminal conspiracies. Cohort can refer to a companion or associate but does not have a legal implication of conspiracy. Accord pertains more to an agreement or settlement, typically in a legal context, but does not imply a criminal agreement.