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

The activists were organized into three groups, with one willing to commit felony breaking and entering, another willing to be arrested for trespassing, while others were there to peacefully protest, the sheriff said. —Scott Bauer, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026

Background on the case Moore was initially charged in December with third-degree felony home invasion, as well as misdemeanor counts of stalking and of breaking and entering. —Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026

Sedrick Walker, 21, is charged with burglary, two counts of breaking and entering to commit a misdemeanor, four counts of indecent exposure, two counts of trespassing, wearing a mask in public and obstruction of justice, the Fairfax County Police Department said in a release. —Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 13 Apr. 2026

Felony breaking and entering at nighttime. —Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 8 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for breaking and entering

• centering
• mentoring
• decentering

Legal Definition

breaking and entering

noun

: the act of gaining passage into and entering another's property (as a building or vehicle) without privilege or by force

also : the crime of breaking and entering see also burglary