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.
Assistant District Attorney Kimberly Seymour said Gales’ criminal history stretched back to the 1970s and included assault, breaking and entering, and drug charges. Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 2026 Moore was arrested hours later and was charged with third-degree felony home invasion, as well as misdemeanor counts of stalking and of breaking and entering. Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026 He was arrested on Russell Island, a small island off the coast of Queensland, hours later and has been charged with breaking and entering, along with three counts of willful damage. Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 15 Feb. 2026 Schaff already pleaded guilty to two counts of breaking and entering at nighttime tied to 2023 incidents in Beacon Hill on Friday. Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 10 Feb. 2026 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 26 Feb. 2026.

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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