breaking and entering

noun

: the act of forcing or otherwise gaining unlawful passage into and entering another's building

Examples of breaking and entering in a Sentence

The thief was arrested and charged with breaking and entering.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
He was officially charged with home invasion, stalking and breaking and entering. Matt Finkel, CBS News, 23 Dec. 2025 Moore faces a felony charge of home invasion in the third degree and two misdemeanor charges of stalking and breaking and entering without the owner’s permission. Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 19 Dec. 2025 The home invasion is the felony charge, and stalking and breaking and entering are both misdemeanor charges. Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 17 Dec. 2025 Moore is now facing misdemeanor charges of stalking and breaking and entering, along with a felony charge of third-degree home invasion. Andrea Williams, Nashville Tennessean, 12 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for breaking and entering

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of breaking and entering was in 1598

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Breaking and entering.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/breaking%20and%20entering. Accessed 31 Dec. 2025.

Legal Definition

breaking and entering

noun
: the act of gaining passage into and entering another's property (as a building or vehicle) without privilege or by force
also : the crime of breaking and entering see also burglary
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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