burglar

noun

bur·​glar ˈbər-glər How to pronounce burglar (audio)
 also  -gə-lər
: one who commits burglary

Examples of burglar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Cellphone jammers are sometimes sold illegally and used by car thieves and burglars. Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 6 Sep. 2025 His home’s security system was triggered and reportedly scared off the burglar, and nothing was stolen from the property. Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2025 The Subscriber centers on a high-end escort who, after witnessing the death of a wealthy client, kidnaps a burglar in a panic while trying to flee the premises. Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025 And in a separate incident in La Puente, burglars were caught on video wiping out a store's entire Labubu collection. Julia Gomez, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for burglar

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of burglar was in 1541

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Burglar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/burglar. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

burglar

noun
bur·​glar ˈbər-glər How to pronounce burglar (audio)
: a person who commits burglary

Legal Definition

burglar

noun
bur·​glar ˈbər-glər How to pronounce burglar (audio)
: a person who commits a burglary

More from Merriam-Webster on burglar

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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