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 Since 2001, he had been criminally charged more than four dozen times, on counts including breaking and entering, assault and possessing firearms as a felon, records show. Eduardo Medina, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2024 Hughes had a lengthy criminal history dating back almost 15 years, including a conviction for breaking and entering in Person County in 2010, according to NBC affiliate WCNC of Charlotte. Deon J. Hampton, NBC News, 30 Apr. 2024 And that you were actually arrested on graduation night for breaking and entering into your high school in an attempt to glue the locks of the doors. Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 5 Apr. 2024 Amy Baker Harrison was indicted by a Stafford County grand jury on Monday for the first-degree murder of Jacqueline Lard, as well as abduction with the intent to defile, aggravated malicious wounding and breaking and entering with the intent to commit murder, according to the sheriff’s office. Amanda Jackson, CNN, 9 Mar. 2024 The 15-year-old boy was been charged with breaking and entering a vehicle in the nighttime to commit a felony, larceny of a firearm, and conspiracy to commit a crime, Ryan’s office said. Nick Stoico, BostonGlobe.com, 27 Mar. 2023 Jackson-Bolanos also faces additional charges of breaking and entering without permission and lying to a peace officer. Erik Ortiz, NBC News, 13 Dec. 2023 After his release, he was sent back for breaking and entering and auto theft. Annalisa Quinn, BostonGlobe.com, 5 July 2023 In March 2021, records say Harrington was paroled from an Ohio prison after serving 14 years for charges including breaking and entering and safecracking. Kevin Grasha, The Enquirer, 2 May 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'breaking and entering.' 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

1598, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of breaking and entering was in 1598

Dictionary Entries Near breaking and entering

Cite this Entry

“Breaking and entering.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/breaking%20and%20entering. Accessed 17 May. 2024.

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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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