break in

3 ENTRIES FOUND:

break in

verb

Definition of BREAK IN

intransitive verb
1
: to enter something (as a building or computer system) without consent or by force
2
a : intrude <break in upon his privacy> b : to interrupt a conversation
3
: to start in an activity or enterprise <breaking in as a cub reporter>
transitive verb
1
: to accustom to a certain activity or occurrence <break in the new clerk>
2
: to overcome the stiffness or newness of <break in a pair of shoes>

Examples of BREAK IN

  1. <the burglars broke in by smashing a window>
  2. <he rudely broke in to drop the names of several celebrities that he had met>

First Known Use of BREAK IN

circa 1535

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