burglary
noun
Note: Most jurisdictions divide burglary into degrees or classes according to the seriousness of the crime. Various aggravating factors (such as whether the structure is a dwelling, the presence of people, and whether the person entering is armed with a deadly weapon or explosives) contribute to the seriousness of the crime.
Examples of burglary in a Sentence
Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2025
Deputies arrested him on burglary charges, the sheriff’s office said, adding detectives are still investigating the circumstances of the shooting.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2025
McMiller, along with six others, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, burglary and retail theft in relation to the incident.
—Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
Police charged Keith Perkins, Anthony Hemphill, Harvey Fisher, Alton Jackson, Dejuan Wingard, Darius Bowdry and Kellen McMiller with a long list of charges including murder, burglary and felony theft.
—Alexis McAdams, FOXNews.com, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for burglary
Cite this Entry
“Burglary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/burglary. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
burglary
noun
Legal Definition
burglary
noun
Note: The crime of burglary was originally defined under the common law to protect people, since there were other laws (as those defining larceny and trespass) that protected property. State laws have broadened the common-law crime. Entering at night is often no longer required and may be considered an aggravating factor. The building may be something other than a dwelling, such as a store or pharmacy. Some states (as Louisiana) have included vehicles under their burglary statute. There are degrees of burglary, and some of the usual aggravating factors are the presence of people and use of a deadly weapon.
Anglo-French burglarie, modification of Medieval Latin burgaria, from burgare to break into (a house)
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