1
: the act or action of breaking in
a rash of break-ins at the new apartment house
2
: a performance or a series of performances serving as a trial run
3
: an initial period of operation during which working parts begin to function efficiently
broke in; broken in; breaking in; breaks in
1
: to enter something (such 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
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
Synonyms
Examples of break-in in a Sentence
Verb
the burglars broke in by smashing a window
he rudely broke in to drop the names of several celebrities that he had met
Recent Examples on the Web
Christopher Kuo, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2024
Guests are expected to park on the street (where there are plenty of spots but issues with break-ins).
—Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2024
But Take Note These did have a break-in period (our tester needed to apply a small bandage after wearing these the first time) but felt fine after the first or second wear.
—Jessica Booth, Parents, 5 Apr. 2024
The break-in was described as elaborate and suggested an experienced crew who knew how to gain entry to a secure facility and go unnoticed.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024
In the comments, Zee’s followers offer their condolences to her for the break-in and share their own personal experiences with car robberies.
—Natalia Senanayake, Peoplemag, 3 Apr. 2024
Not many can handle a store break-in with grace and calmness, let alone create new merchandise and address their community directly.
—Aaraf Adam, Essence, 22 Mar. 2024
Some of Wright’s convictions stem from a break-in at a KCK music store, The Star reported at the time.
—Luke Nozicka, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2024
Taschner said police investigated the allegations of break-ins and vandalism before the fire but found no evidence of such.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2024
Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 13 Apr. 2024
Subsequent investigation turned up a broken window in the back of the residence and a screwdriver near where Condon broke in, according to the review.
—Rebecca Cohen, NBC News, 11 Apr. 2024
On Sunday, the Cuban ambassador to Ecuador was among the diplomats escorting the Mexican ambassador on her way to the airport to leave the South American country after the break in diplomatic relations.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2024
Though Cuba expressed concern about his kids following him into acting at a young age, Mason eventually got his big break in the HBO comedy Ballers after a short time at New York University Tisch School of the Arts.
—Emy Lacroix, Peoplemag, 4 Apr. 2024
An area of Dixie Highway near the intersection of Hill Street is closed following a water main break in the Algonquin neighborhood, according to Louisville Water.
—Leo Bertucci, The Courier-Journal, 3 Apr. 2024
After a break in the rain, more showers and storms probably develop toward midnight and continue intermittently through dawn.
—Jason Samenow, Washington Post, 1 Apr. 2024
The Cougars faced a tough break in the first half after star guard Jamal Shead left the game with an ankle injury and did not return.
—Jacob Lev, CNN, 30 Mar. 2024
The film’s climax is perhaps the most thrilling prison break in cinema history.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 27 Mar. 2024
Noun
Each facility was studied before a break-in to determine access, security measures and what looked good to steal, investigators said in court papers.
—Christopher Kuo, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2024
Guests are expected to park on the street (where there are plenty of spots but issues with break-ins).
—Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2024
But Take Note These did have a break-in period (our tester needed to apply a small bandage after wearing these the first time) but felt fine after the first or second wear.
—Jessica Booth, Parents, 5 Apr. 2024
The break-in was described as elaborate and suggested an experienced crew who knew how to gain entry to a secure facility and go unnoticed.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024
In the comments, Zee’s followers offer their condolences to her for the break-in and share their own personal experiences with car robberies.
—Natalia Senanayake, Peoplemag, 3 Apr. 2024
Not many can handle a store break-in with grace and calmness, let alone create new merchandise and address their community directly.
—Aaraf Adam, Essence, 22 Mar. 2024
Some of Wright’s convictions stem from a break-in at a KCK music store, The Star reported at the time.
—Luke Nozicka, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2024
Taschner said police investigated the allegations of break-ins and vandalism before the fire but found no evidence of such.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2024
Verb
During his civil fraud trial last year, the former president offered Rosenberg feedback on some sketches during a break in the proceedings.
—Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 13 Apr. 2024
Subsequent investigation turned up a broken window in the back of the residence and a screwdriver near where Condon broke in, according to the review.
—Rebecca Cohen, NBC News, 11 Apr. 2024
On Sunday, the Cuban ambassador to Ecuador was among the diplomats escorting the Mexican ambassador on her way to the airport to leave the South American country after the break in diplomatic relations.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2024
Though Cuba expressed concern about his kids following him into acting at a young age, Mason eventually got his big break in the HBO comedy Ballers after a short time at New York University Tisch School of the Arts.
—Emy Lacroix, Peoplemag, 4 Apr. 2024
An area of Dixie Highway near the intersection of Hill Street is closed following a water main break in the Algonquin neighborhood, according to Louisville Water.
—Leo Bertucci, The Courier-Journal, 3 Apr. 2024
After a break in the rain, more showers and storms probably develop toward midnight and continue intermittently through dawn.
—Jason Samenow, Washington Post, 1 Apr. 2024
The Cougars faced a tough break in the first half after star guard Jamal Shead left the game with an ankle injury and did not return.
—Jacob Lev, CNN, 30 Mar. 2024
The film’s climax is perhaps the most thrilling prison break in cinema history.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 27 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'break-in.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
Noun
1856, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
circa 1535, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near break-in
Cite this Entry
“Break-in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/break-in. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
break-in
1 of 2 nounˈbrā-ˌkin
: an act or instance of breaking in
break in
2 of 2 verb(ˈ)brā-ˈkin
1
: to enter a house or building by force
2
a
: to make used to an activity
breaking in a new employee
b
: to overcome the newness or stiffness of
breaking in a new pair of shoes
Legal Definition
break-in
1 of 2 nounˈbrāk-ˌin
: the act or action of breaking in
break in
2 of 2 intransitive verb
: to enter something (as a building or computer system) without privilege (as consent) or by force
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