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 escaped with it in a waiting black sport-utility vehicle, police said. —Adam Harrington, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026

Cops charged Hyacinthe with car theft, possession of burglar’s tools, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, criminal trespass and weapons possession. —Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 21 Mar. 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

The burglar suffered a wound to the right calf, and was taekn to UChicago Medicine where he was listed in good condition, police said. —Deanese Williams-Harris, Chicago Tribune, 7 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