burglar

noun

bur·​glar ˈbər-glər 

 also  -gə-lər

: one who commits burglary

Examples of burglar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

While authorities are still trying to identify the burglars, prosecutors said on Monday that a bottle of liquid and other equipment were left behind at the scene and are now being examined. —Bonny Chu , Ronn Blitzer, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2025

An attempt to set fire to the truck used to carry out the raid was foiled by a Louvre security officer, forcing the burglar to flee, according to the culture ministry’s statement. —Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 19 Oct. 2025

Police said in court filings that Lewis matched the description of the burglar Stevenson shot. —Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025

Nixon’s professed and late-blooming concern for safeguarding the rights of criminal defendants might be a bit hard to swallow; these were, after all, the Watergate burglars. —Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2025

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