burglar

noun

bur·​glar ˈbər-glər 

also -gə-lər

: one who commits burglary

Examples of burglar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The two masked burglars came inside with one holding the door, the employee said. — Blake Tyson, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2026

Flynn told 911 operators that a burglar broke into the couple’s home and shot his wife. — Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 18 Sep. 2026

Back in 2018, Tarantino reportedly awoke in the middle of the night to find two burglars inside his home. — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026

Banging inside a Washington resident's home turned out not to be a burglar. — Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Anglo-French burgler, from Medieval Latin burglator, probably alteration of burgator, from burgare to commit burglary

First Known Use

1541, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing burglar

• anti-burglar
• burglar alarm
• cat burglar

Kids Definition

burglar

noun

bur·​glar ˈbər-glər 

: a person who commits burglary

Legal Definition

burglar

noun

bur·​glar ˈbər-glər 

: a person who commits a burglary