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

Felony breaking and entering a building at night. —Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 28 Jan. 2026

The secret apartment was ultimately discovered in 2007 by mall security guards, and Townsend was arrested and charged with breaking and entering — before the charges were reduced to trespassing. —Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 27 Jan. 2026

Former Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore appeared in court on Thursday for a probable cause case hearing regarding charges of third-degree home invasion, a felony, and misdemeanor charges of stalking and breaking and entering. —Austin Meek, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2026

Moore, who was accompanied to court by his wife and attorney, is charged with third-degree felony home invasion, as well as misdemeanor counts of stalking and of breaking and entering. —Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 22 Jan. 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