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
By pleading no contest to the other two charges, prosecutors agreed to drop the home invasion, breaking and entering, and stalking charges.
—
CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
He has been charged with felony first degree burglary, felony breaking and entering with intent to terrorize, and misdemeanor first degree trespass, police said.
—Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 4 Mar. 2026
Felony breaking and entering at night.
—Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 2 Mar. 2026
He was arrested on Russell Island, a small island off the coast of Queensland, hours later and has been charged with breaking and entering, along with three counts of willful damage.
—Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for breaking and entering
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
He has been charged with felony first degree burglary, felony breaking and entering with intent to terrorize, and misdemeanor first degree trespass, police said.
—Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 4 Mar. 2026
Felony breaking and entering at night.
—Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 2 Mar. 2026
He was arrested on Russell Island, a small island off the coast of Queensland, hours later and has been charged with breaking and entering, along with three counts of willful damage.
—Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for 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 14 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
