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.
James Schaff, 59, was held without bail for violating his probation and faces new charges of breaking and entering a building in the nighttime for the purpose of committing a felony, larceny from a building, and being a common and notorious thief. Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 28 May 2026 Krogman was arrested and charged with kidnapping, witness intimidation, assault and battery, indecent assault and battery, and breaking and entering with intent to commit a felony. Riley Rourke, CBS News, 28 May 2026 Lowman has been charged with assault with a deadly weapon, felony breaking and entering to terrorize/injure, second degree trespassing, injury to real property (the office door) and disorderly conduct, a warrant states. Mark Price may 11, Charlotte Observer, 11 May 2026 The activists were organized into three groups, with one willing to commit felony breaking and entering, another willing to be arrested for trespassing, while others were there to peacefully protest, the sheriff said. Scott Bauer, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 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 1 Jun. 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
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