burglar

noun

bur·​glar ˈbər-glər 

also -gə-lər

: one who commits burglary

Examples of burglar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The burglars took the ATM and left in a different vehicle, police said. —Adam Harrington, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026

The Christophers introduces itself as another indie spin on a familiar conceit, then heads in a much more empathetic direction than Soderbergh’s usual portrayal of burglars on the down-low. —David Sims, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026

The burglar stole a rare set of Pierre Paulin Elysee floor lamps, valued at $10,000 each, along with five designer chairs and other items, police said. —Rich Schapiro, NBC news, 3 Apr. 2026

Fifty-five years on, plenty of Americans might look back on the eight burglars who broke into the FBI and exposed its campaign to suppress dissent as heroes. —Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 20 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Anglo-French burgler, from Medieval Latin burglator, probably alteration of burgator, from burgare to commit burglary

First Known Use

1541, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing burglar

• anti-burglar
• burglar alarm
• cat burglar

Kids Definition

burglar

noun

bur·​glar ˈbər-glər 

: a person who commits burglary

Legal Definition

burglar

noun

bur·​glar ˈbər-glər 

: a person who commits a burglary