breaking and entering

noun

Definition of breaking and entering

: 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 On July 23, officers were dispatched for a breaking and entering complaint. — Cheryl Higley, cleveland, "Ex charged with filing false reports: Avon Lake police blotter," 31 July 2020 Kater had just been released from prison within the past year after pleading guilty in 2018 to unlawful breaking and entering a vehicle. — Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, "21-year-old man killed in shootout with Birmingham police identified," 21 Jan. 2021 While Mother Abagail prays to a silent God and tries to find an answer, Harold returns home, almost catching Larry in the act of breaking and entering. — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, "The Stand Recap: Fear and Loathing in New Vegas," 14 Jan. 2021 Lawyer held on rape charges Defense attorney Gary Zerola was arrested Friday on charges of rape and breaking and entering during the nighttime, police said. — BostonGlobe.com, "New England news in brief," 15 Jan. 2021 He was taken into custody and charged with breaking and entering. — Cheryl Higley, cleveland, "18-year-old found passed out in a car: Avon Lake police blotter," 28 Sep. 2020 Johnson later was arrested again in Virginia on charges that ranged from grand larceny to burglary, identity fraud, and breaking and entering. — Eileen Kelley, sun-sentinel.com, "A drifter with a long criminal history showed up to pound on a disabled man’s door," 19 Dec. 2020 The court records show he was charged with breaking and entering, which is a felony, and impersonating a police officer and communicating threats, which are misdemeanors. — Fox News, "Green Beret and Army veteran found dead at Fort Bragg were facing charges in North Carolina criminal cases," 12 Dec. 2020 In the comedy, Scrooge has apparently relapsed into his crotchety ways and is suing Jacob Marley and the other ghosts for everything from breaking and entering to emotional distress. — Matthew J. Palm, orlandosentinel.com, "‘Christmas Carol’ variations work — to a point | Reviews," 12 Dec. 2020

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

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Dictionary Entries near breaking and entering

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break in

breaking and entering

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breaking cart

breaking engine

Statistics for breaking and entering

Last Updated

2 Mar 2021

Cite this Entry

“Breaking and entering.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/breaking%20and%20entering. Accessed 2 Mar. 2021.

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More Definitions for breaking and entering

breaking and entering

noun

English Language Learners Definition of breaking and entering

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

See the full definition for breaking and entering in the English Language Learners Dictionary

breaking and entering

noun

Legal Definition of breaking and entering

: 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

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