burglar

noun

bur·​glar ˈbər-glər 

also -gə-lər

: one who commits burglary

Examples of burglar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Saquon Barkley and his family are unharmed after at least one burglar entered the Philadelphia Eagles star’s home with them inside early Saturday morning, according to the Tredyffrin Township Police Department. — Matt Schubert, New York Times, 19 July 2026

The New Evidence also devotes time to the defense theory that Laci encountered the burglars who robbed the home of across-the-street neighbors Rudy and Susan Medina. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 18 July 2026

Peterson's attorneys argued that Laci could have interrupted the robbery in progress and was then abducted and killed by the burglars. — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 18 July 2026

Jeremy Theobald stars as a London writer who follows around strangers for inspiration, a personality quirk that gets him in trouble when he becomes tied to a serial burglar (Alex Haw) and a femme fatale (Lucy Russell). — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 17 July 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