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
broke in; broken in; breaking in; breaks in
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
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
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
Christopher Kuo, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2024
Guests are expected to park on the street (where there are plenty of spots but issues with break-ins).
—Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2024
But Take Note These did have a break-in period (our tester needed to apply a small bandage after wearing these the first time) but felt fine after the first or second wear.
—Jessica Booth, Parents, 5 Apr. 2024
The break-in was described as elaborate and suggested an experienced crew who knew how to gain entry to a secure facility and go unnoticed.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024
In the comments, Zee’s followers offer their condolences to her for the break-in and share their own personal experiences with car robberies.
—Natalia Senanayake, Peoplemag, 3 Apr. 2024
Not many can handle a store break-in with grace and calmness, let alone create new merchandise and address their community directly.
—Aaraf Adam, Essence, 22 Mar. 2024
Some of Wright’s convictions stem from a break-in at a KCK music store, The Star reported at the time.
—Luke Nozicka, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2024
Taschner said police investigated the allegations of break-ins and vandalism before the fire but found no evidence of such.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2024
James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Apr. 2024
They’re also made of rich, soft leather with a cushy insole, which requires zero breaking in.
—Taylor Jean Stephan, Peoplemag, 31 Mar. 2024
With the console wars raging and all the non-gaming giants trying to break in, what happens next is tough to predict.
—Simon Hill, WIRED, 24 Mar. 2024
The lower circular bar running across the lower part of the push bar was broken in two and a piece behind the push bar was missing, according to court records.
—The Arizona Republic, 20 Mar. 2024
Jar of Flies makes Billboard history Alice in Chains returned home from touring in support of Dirt in 1993, and decided to record some quiet new material to help break in Inez as their new bassist.
—Spin Contributor, SPIN, 22 Mar. 2024
Easing into a feral frenzy, Sydney Sweeney proves a hard habit to break in ‘Immaculate’ — in theaters Friday.
—Anthony De Leon, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2024
And, Bravo says, a new chef will try to break in, too.
—Steven Martinez, Journal Sentinel, 20 Mar. 2024
It’s meant for professionals or students who want to break in the industry.
—Gieson Cacho, The Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2024
Noun
Each facility was studied before a break-in to determine access, security measures and what looked good to steal, investigators said in court papers.
—Christopher Kuo, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2024
Guests are expected to park on the street (where there are plenty of spots but issues with break-ins).
—Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2024
But Take Note These did have a break-in period (our tester needed to apply a small bandage after wearing these the first time) but felt fine after the first or second wear.
—Jessica Booth, Parents, 5 Apr. 2024
The break-in was described as elaborate and suggested an experienced crew who knew how to gain entry to a secure facility and go unnoticed.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024
In the comments, Zee’s followers offer their condolences to her for the break-in and share their own personal experiences with car robberies.
—Natalia Senanayake, Peoplemag, 3 Apr. 2024
Not many can handle a store break-in with grace and calmness, let alone create new merchandise and address their community directly.
—Aaraf Adam, Essence, 22 Mar. 2024
Some of Wright’s convictions stem from a break-in at a KCK music store, The Star reported at the time.
—Luke Nozicka, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2024
Taschner said police investigated the allegations of break-ins and vandalism before the fire but found no evidence of such.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2024
Verb
The role marks the first major network new series opportunity for the Emmy-winning former Desperate Housewives star since her role in a college admissions scandal broke in 2019 (Huffman was previously set to star in a spinoff of The Good Doctor, but last year ABC passed on making it).
—James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Apr. 2024
They’re also made of rich, soft leather with a cushy insole, which requires zero breaking in.
—Taylor Jean Stephan, Peoplemag, 31 Mar. 2024
With the console wars raging and all the non-gaming giants trying to break in, what happens next is tough to predict.
—Simon Hill, WIRED, 24 Mar. 2024
The lower circular bar running across the lower part of the push bar was broken in two and a piece behind the push bar was missing, according to court records.
—The Arizona Republic, 20 Mar. 2024
Jar of Flies makes Billboard history Alice in Chains returned home from touring in support of Dirt in 1993, and decided to record some quiet new material to help break in Inez as their new bassist.
—Spin Contributor, SPIN, 22 Mar. 2024
Easing into a feral frenzy, Sydney Sweeney proves a hard habit to break in ‘Immaculate’ — in theaters Friday.
—Anthony De Leon, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2024
And, Bravo says, a new chef will try to break in, too.
—Steven Martinez, Journal Sentinel, 20 Mar. 2024
It’s meant for professionals or students who want to break in the industry.
—Gieson Cacho, The Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'break-in.' 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
Noun
1856, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
circa 1535, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near break-in
Cite this Entry
“Break-in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/break-in. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
break-in
1 of 2 nounˈbrā-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 nounˈbrāk-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
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