A liquid crystal composition is provided that satisfies at least one characteristic among the characteristics such as a high maximum temperature of a nematic phase, a low minimum temperature of a nematic phase, a small viscosity, a suitable optical anisotropy, negatively large dielectric anisotropy, a large specific resistance, a high stability to ultraviolet light and a high stability to heat, or is properly balanced regarding at least two characteristics. An AM device is provided that has a short response time, a large voltage holding ratio, a large contrast ratio, a long service life and so forth.The liquid crystal composition contains tetrahedropyrene-2,5-diyl as the first component, a specific compound having negatively large dielectric anisotropy as the second component, and a negatively dielectric anisotropy. The liquid crystal display device contains the liquid crystal composition.