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
broke in; broken in; breaking in; breaks in
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
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
Synonyms
Examples of break-in in a Sentence
Verb
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 on the Web
Esther Kang, Peoplemag, 13 Sep. 2023
Police are searching for a person who broke into a San Fernando Valley church and smashed several windows before running away, the latest of several break-ins at the nondenominational church that have forced its leaders to consider moving.
—Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2023
Five teenagers were arrested at Davidson High School on Friday following an investigation into a break-in at a nearby home undergoing renovations.
—John Sharp | Jsharp@al.com, al, 9 Sep. 2023
More information released:Man shot by police and police dog stabbed in possible break-in
John Tufts covers evening breaking and trending news for the Indianapolis Star.
—John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 5 Sep. 2023
The 24-hour access to the rest area has also made the campground an attractive target for break-ins, leading the park to erect a big fence around the campsites and hire overnight security.
—oregonlive, 5 Sep. 2023
Zero break-in time is needed, so the recipient can put them on right out of the box (and, most likely, never take them off).
—Quincy Bulin, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Sep. 2023
Nearly two weeks before the break-ins Saturday, MIT police reported that an unknown person entered and stole property from 111 Bay State Road, according to the statement.
—Collin Robisheaux, BostonGlobe.com, 3 Sep. 2023
The call initially came in as a break-in at an auto repair shop around 8 p.m. Friday, Weilhammer said.
—John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 2 Sep. 2023
Abby Wilson, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Sep. 2023
Morales’ big break in Ukraine came early in the war.
—Justin Scheck, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Sep. 2023
Jacksonville comes into the season as the AFC South favorite behind quarterback Trevor Lawrence, while the Colts are breaking in No. 4 overall NFL Draft pick Anthony Richardson.
—Scott Horner, The Indianapolis Star, 7 Sep. 2023
These infections happen when bacteria-laden seawater infiltrates a break in the skin.
—Maryn McKenna, WIRED, 6 Sep. 2023
How Kit Kat broke in two Kit Kat wasn’t always controlled by two separate companies.
—Danielle Wiener-Bronner, CNN, 2 Sep. 2023
That was the assignment for the Wolfpack, who traveled to Connecticut while breaking in new quarterback Brennan Armstrong and offensive coordinator Robert Anae.
—Paul Myerberg, USA TODAY, 1 Sep. 2023
Look for a break in the heat waves, the first crisp morning, or the last true summer storm to give you the thumbs-up to hang a fall wreath on your front door.
—Kate McGregor, House Beautiful, 1 Sep. 2023
But with a little extra brightness, the moon should be able to shine through any breaks in the clouds.
—oregonlive, 30 Aug. 2023
See More
Noun
The phone containing the messages belonged to someone suspected of the break-in.
—Esther Kang, Peoplemag, 13 Sep. 2023
Police are searching for a person who broke into a San Fernando Valley church and smashed several windows before running away, the latest of several break-ins at the nondenominational church that have forced its leaders to consider moving.
—Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2023
Five teenagers were arrested at Davidson High School on Friday following an investigation into a break-in at a nearby home undergoing renovations.
—John Sharp | Jsharp@al.com, al, 9 Sep. 2023
More information released:Man shot by police and police dog stabbed in possible break-in
John Tufts covers evening breaking and trending news for the Indianapolis Star.
—John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 5 Sep. 2023
The 24-hour access to the rest area has also made the campground an attractive target for break-ins, leading the park to erect a big fence around the campsites and hire overnight security.
—oregonlive, 5 Sep. 2023
Zero break-in time is needed, so the recipient can put them on right out of the box (and, most likely, never take them off).
—Quincy Bulin, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Sep. 2023
Nearly two weeks before the break-ins Saturday, MIT police reported that an unknown person entered and stole property from 111 Bay State Road, according to the statement.
—Collin Robisheaux, BostonGlobe.com, 3 Sep. 2023
The call initially came in as a break-in at an auto repair shop around 8 p.m. Friday, Weilhammer said.
—John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 2 Sep. 2023
Verb
Fry suggests following a cycle-and-soak pattern—watering in short, 15-minute-long intervals with breaks in between—to reduce runoff and allow your plants to become more resilient.
—Abby Wilson, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Sep. 2023
Morales’ big break in Ukraine came early in the war.
—Justin Scheck, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Sep. 2023
Jacksonville comes into the season as the AFC South favorite behind quarterback Trevor Lawrence, while the Colts are breaking in No. 4 overall NFL Draft pick Anthony Richardson.
—Scott Horner, The Indianapolis Star, 7 Sep. 2023
These infections happen when bacteria-laden seawater infiltrates a break in the skin.
—Maryn McKenna, WIRED, 6 Sep. 2023
How Kit Kat broke in two Kit Kat wasn’t always controlled by two separate companies.
—Danielle Wiener-Bronner, CNN, 2 Sep. 2023
That was the assignment for the Wolfpack, who traveled to Connecticut while breaking in new quarterback Brennan Armstrong and offensive coordinator Robert Anae.
—Paul Myerberg, USA TODAY, 1 Sep. 2023
Look for a break in the heat waves, the first crisp morning, or the last true summer storm to give you the thumbs-up to hang a fall wreath on your front door.
—Kate McGregor, House Beautiful, 1 Sep. 2023
But with a little extra brightness, the moon should be able to shine through any breaks in the clouds.
—oregonlive, 30 Aug. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'break-in.' 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
Noun
1856, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
circa 1535, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near break-in
Cite this Entry
“Break-in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/break-in. Accessed 27 Sep. 2023.
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Kids Definition
break-in
1 of 2 nounˈbrā-ˌkin
: an act or instance of breaking in
break in
2 of 2 verb(ˈ)brā-ˈkin
1
: to enter a house or building by force
2
a
: to make used to an activity
breaking in a new employee
b
: to overcome the newness or stiffness of
breaking in a new pair of shoes
Legal Definition
break-in
1 of 2 nounˈbrāk-ˌin
: the act or action of breaking in
break in
2 of 2 intransitive verb
: to enter something (as a building or computer system) without privilege (as consent) or by force
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