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break-in

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noun \ ˈbrāk-ˌin \

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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First Known Use of break-in

1856

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

  1. the burglars broke in by smashing a window

  2. he rudely broke in to drop the names of several celebrities that he had met

First Known Use of break in

circa 1535

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

play
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

Learn More about break-in

  1. See words that rhyme with break-in Nglish: Translation of break-in for Spanish speakers

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