breaking and entering

noun

Examples: breaking and entering in a Sentence

Definition of breaking and entering

: the act of forcing or otherwise gaining unlawful passage into and entering another's building

See breaking and entering defined for English-language learners

Examples of breaking and entering in a Sentence

The thief was arrested and charged with breaking and entering.

Recent Examples of breaking and entering from the Web

Hughes pleaded guilty to larceny after breaking and entering in 2010, according to North Carolina criminal records.

— julianna rennie, charlotteobserver, "Man stole $8,000 worth of cleaning supplies from CMS schools, CMS says," 7 June 2018
Unreal Estate Amber: The unidentified woman who thought a real estate investor was breaking and entering ... with keys.

— michael harriot, The Root, "Depressed Debbie Calls Police on Black Neighbors Because They Were Happy and She Was Sad," 6 June 2018
The waiting driver, a 33-year-old Parma man, is charged with felony complicity to breaking and entering.

— bruce geiselman, cleveland.com, "Thieves break into Westlake business: police blotter," 12 May 2018
Bailey received treatment for his non-life-threatening injuries at a nearby hospital, police told WHDH, and was then arrested for an outstanding warrant for allegedly breaking and entering.

— josh magness, kansascity, "Retired cop had 'beware of owner' sign. The man who sneaked on his yard learned why, cops say | The Kansas City Star," 1 May 2018
He was wanted on a warrant issued out of Dorchester District Court for breaking and entering into a motor vehicle, said Officer Kim Tavares, a department spokeswoman.

— jacob geanous, BostonGlobe.com, "Dorchester man arrested on gun, drug charges," 14 Apr. 2018
This skill could be anything that requires a rapid decision: passing to an open wide receiver, whistling a foul call, responding to gunfire after a report of breaking and entering.

— zach schonbrun, New York Times, "How Do Athletes’ Brains Control Their Movements?," 13 Apr. 2018
Police believe the same man is responsible for breaking and entering a home in the 2300 block of Gray Falls Drive on March 22.

— william axford, Houston Chronicle, "Doorbell-ringing burglar in west Houston sought by police," 12 Apr. 2018
Lakeith was only 15 years old when he and a group of four others were confronted by police after being accused of breaking and entering.

— angela helm, The Root, "Lakeith Smith Got 65 Years For The Death of a 16-Year-Old Killed By Police," 7 Apr. 2018

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.

First Known Use of breaking and entering

1598

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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BREAKING AND ENTERING Defined for English Language Learners

breaking and entering

noun

Definition of breaking and entering for English Language Learners

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

Law 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