burglar

noun

bur·​glar ˈbər-glər 

also -gə-lər

: one who commits burglary

Examples of burglar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But Hohimer himself implicated another burglar, Frederick Malchow, in the slaying. — Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 7 Aug. 2026

The video shows the burglars smashing open the video gambling machines with what appeared to be sledgehammers, crowbars, and pickaxes. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026

On June 19 burglars used a saw to cut through a garage door on Avalon Heights Terrace, and smashed through a sliding glass window to get into the home. — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 3 Aug. 2026

The burglars subsequently smashed the display case with the gold piece of jewelry in question before fleeing through the main entrance. — News Desk, Artforum, 27 July 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