break-in

noun \ ˈbrāk-ˌin \

|Updated on: 10 Jul 2018

Examples: break-in in a Sentence

Definition of break-in

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

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See break-in defined for kids

First Known Use of break-in

1856

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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break in

verb

Definition of break in

intransitive verb

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

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

See break in defined for kids

Examples of break in in a Sentence

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 of break in from the Web

Isner faced two match points against Bemelmans at 5-4 in the fifth set but held and then broke in the next game.

— mattias karen, BostonGlobe.com, "Third-seeded Marin Cilic upset at Wimbledon," 5 July 2018
Even with the dense tree cover, glimpses of the San Francisco Peaks can be seen through breaks in the foliage.

— mare czinar, azcentral, "Flagstaff hike: Rogers Trail hike is a lovely walk in the woods," 5 July 2018
Isner faced two match points against Bemelmans at 5-4 in the fifth set but held and then broke in the next game.

— Houston Chronicle, "Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal advance at Wimbledon," 5 July 2018
Deputies got to 11648 E. Colonial Dr., a Cash America storefront near Alafaya Trail, just before 12:40 a.m. Thursday, looking for two men who had broken in, Lt.

— gal tziperman lotan, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Burglar climbed through ceiling tiles into Big Lots store, deputies say," 28 June 2018
This prompted Inskeep to climb up the tree and break in through a second-story window, attempting to assault the victim again, according to the police records.

— madeline mitchell, Cincinnati.com, "Police: Man climbed tree to get into Northside home, beat resident," 28 June 2018
Investigators’ recent break in the case came after sending in 25-year-old DNA evidence from the crime scene to Parabon NanoLabs to create a genotype of the killer who got away.

— jared gilmour, miamiherald, "Teacher was raped and murdered in 1992. Gum left at a school just caught the killer, Pa. cops say," 27 June 2018
Rip currents most often occur at low spots or breaks in sandbars and near structures such as jetties and piers.

— bruce henderson, charlotteobserver, "Be wary of these NC natural wonders this summer," 25 June 2018
With only a few short breaks in the relationship, San Antonio has been home to a minor league baseball team playing in the Texas League since the league was founded in 1888.

— kyle ringo, San Antonio Express-News, "Missions bid farewell to lengthy affiliation with Lone Star circuit," 24 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'break in.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of break in

circa 1535

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

break in Synonyms

Synonyms

burglarize, burgle;

Related Words

invade, trespass;

hold up, loot, plunder, rip off, rob, stick up;

ransack, rifle;

despoil, devastate, maraud, pillage, ravage, sack;

BREAK-IN Defined for English Language Learners

break-in

noun

Definition of break-in for English Language Learners

: the act or crime of illegally entering a house, building, etc., especially by using force

Law Dictionary

break-in

noun \ ˈbrāk-ˌin \

legal Definition of break-in

: the act or action of breaking in

break in

intransitive verb

legal Definition of break in

: to enter something (as a building or computer system) without privilege (as consent) or by force

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break-in

Definition of break-in

First Known Use of break-in

break in

Definition of break in

Examples of break in in a Sentence

Recent Examples of break in from the Web

First Known Use of break in

break in Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

BREAK-IN Defined for English Language Learners

break-in

Definition of break-in for English Language Learners

Law Dictionary

break-in

legal Definition of break-in

break in

legal Definition of break in

Learn More about break-in

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