break-in

1 of 2

noun

ˈbrāk-ˌin 

1

: the act or action of breaking in

a rash of break-ins at the new apartment house

2

: a performance or a series of performances serving as a trial run

3

: an initial period of operation during which working parts begin to function efficiently

break in

2 of 2

verb

broke in; broken in; breaking in; breaks in

intransitive verb

1

: to enter something (such as a building or computer system) without consent or by force

2

a

: intrude

break in upon his privacy

b

: to interrupt a conversation

3

: to start in an activity or enterprise

breaking in as a cub reporter

transitive verb

1

: to accustom to a certain activity or occurrence

break in the new clerk

2

: to overcome the stiffness or newness of

break in a pair of shoes

Synonyms of break-in

Verb

• invade
• rob

Examples of break-in in a Sentence

Verb

the burglars broke in by smashing a window

he rudely broke in to drop the names of several celebrities that he had met

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

It will be used to hold detainees facing charges for violating city ordinances — such as trespassing, theft, car break-ins, resisting arrest, assault and other offenses. — Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 14 July 2026

No break-in period required, the exceptionally cushy Clarks Arla Gilson Flip-flops are ready-to-wear straight out of your suitcase. — Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 12 July 2026

Verb

The midfielder pool, however, seems set, with very little room to break in. — Tamerra Griffin, New York Times, 20 July 2026

Ackman was preparing for Pershing Square’s double IPO during the crisis and its aftermath, and took business calls from the room next to Lucy’s, with breaks in between to avoid leaving her bedside for long. — Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 20 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1807, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Rhymes for break-in

• akin
• auxin
• buckskin
• chagrin
• crankpin
• deerskin
• foreskin
• fuchsin
• herein
• kingpin
• linchpin
• pigskin

Kids Definition

break-in

1 of 2 noun

ˈbrā-ˌkin

: an act or instance of breaking in

break in

2 of 2 verb

(ˈ)brā-ˈkin

1

: to enter a house or building by force

2

a

: to make used to an activity

breaking in a new employee

b

: to overcome the newness or stiffness of

breaking in a new pair of shoes

Legal Definition

break-in

1 of 2 noun

ˈbrāk-ˌin

: the act or action of breaking in

break in

2 of 2 intransitive verb

: to enter something (as a building or computer system) without privilege (as consent) or by force