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
And that you were actually arrested on graduation night for breaking and entering into your high school in an attempt to glue the locks of the doors.
—
Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 5 Apr. 2024
Amy Baker Harrison was indicted by a Stafford County grand jury on Monday for the first-degree murder of Jacqueline Lard, as well as abduction with the intent to defile, aggravated malicious wounding and breaking and entering with the intent to commit murder, according to the sheriff’s office.
—Amanda Jackson, CNN, 9 Mar. 2024
The 15-year-old boy was been charged with breaking and entering a vehicle in the nighttime to commit a felony, larceny of a firearm, and conspiracy to commit a crime, Ryan’s office said.
—Nick Stoico, BostonGlobe.com, 27 Mar. 2023
Jackson-Bolanos also faces additional charges of breaking and entering without permission and lying to a peace officer.
—Erik Ortiz, NBC News, 13 Dec. 2023
After his release, he was sent back for breaking and entering and auto theft.
—Annalisa Quinn, BostonGlobe.com, 5 July 2023
In March 2021, records say Harrington was paroled from an Ohio prison after serving 14 years for charges including breaking and entering and safecracking.
—Kevin Grasha, The Enquirer, 2 May 2023
Burglaries and breaking and entering, meanwhile, remained flat from the year before.
—Mark Berman, Washington Post, 16 Oct. 2023
Read full article The 14-year-old boy was charged with breaking and entering a vehicle in the nighttime to commit a felony, larceny of a firearm, possession of a firearm, and conspiracy to commit a crime, the statement said.
—Nick Stoico, BostonGlobe.com, 27 Mar. 2023
Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 5 Apr. 2024
Amy Baker Harrison was indicted by a Stafford County grand jury on Monday for the first-degree murder of Jacqueline Lard, as well as abduction with the intent to defile, aggravated malicious wounding and breaking and entering with the intent to commit murder, according to the sheriff’s office.
—Amanda Jackson, CNN, 9 Mar. 2024
The 15-year-old boy was been charged with breaking and entering a vehicle in the nighttime to commit a felony, larceny of a firearm, and conspiracy to commit a crime, Ryan’s office said.
—Nick Stoico, BostonGlobe.com, 27 Mar. 2023
Jackson-Bolanos also faces additional charges of breaking and entering without permission and lying to a peace officer.
—Erik Ortiz, NBC News, 13 Dec. 2023
After his release, he was sent back for breaking and entering and auto theft.
—Annalisa Quinn, BostonGlobe.com, 5 July 2023
In March 2021, records say Harrington was paroled from an Ohio prison after serving 14 years for charges including breaking and entering and safecracking.
—Kevin Grasha, The Enquirer, 2 May 2023
Burglaries and breaking and entering, meanwhile, remained flat from the year before.
—Mark Berman, Washington Post, 16 Oct. 2023
Read full article The 14-year-old boy was charged with breaking and entering a vehicle in the nighttime to commit a felony, larceny of a firearm, possession of a firearm, and conspiracy to commit a crime, the statement said.
—Nick Stoico, BostonGlobe.com, 27 Mar. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'breaking and entering.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1598, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of breaking and entering was
in 1598
Dictionary Entries Near 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 18 Apr. 2024.
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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
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