burglary

play

noun bur·glary \ ˈbər-glə-rē also -gə-lə-rē also -gəl-rē \

Definition of burglary

plural burglaries

:the act of breaking and entering a dwelling at night to commit a felony (such as theft); broadly :the entering of a building with the intent to commit a crime

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burglarious

play \ˌbər-ˈgler-ē-əs\ adjective

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burglariously

adverb

See burglary defined for English-language learners

See burglary defined for kids

Examples of burglary in a Sentence

There have been a number of burglaries in the neighborhood in recent months.
He has been charged with attempted burglary.

Recent Examples of burglary from the Web

Burglary to Vehicle •Golf clubs were reported stolen overnight between Aug. 16 and Aug. 17 from an unlocked car parked on the 1000 block of South Home Avenue, police said.

— jennifer johnson, chicagotribune.com, "Park Ridge police: Teen left marijuana behind during school assembly," 30 Aug. 2017
He was booked into jail on suspicion of aggravated assault and burglary.

— michael katz, idahostatesman, "Suspected shoplifter who pulled a knife on store employee arrested, police say," 28 Aug. 2017
Sunday, Aug. 13 Commercial burglary, Four Square Church and Lilies of the Valley, 200 block Seventh Street.

— Ramona Sentinel, "Sheriff's Reports," 28 Aug. 2017
Brandon Thomas, now 33, was found guilty of all nine charges, including murder, aggravated robbery and aggravated burglary, in the deaths of Adam Bostic, 31, and Betty Thomas, 28.

— sarah brookbank, Cincinnati.com, "Lexington man found guilty of 2014 Avondale double murder," 25 Aug. 2017
Evans' office said Seymore was accused of the April 8, 2016, burglary of the Tickfaw Auction Co. during which numerous guns were reported stolen.

— bob warren, NOLA.com, "Inmate accused in jail death pleads guilty to gun theft," 25 Aug. 2017
A man suspected of numerous nighttime burglaries from April to June at Dunkin' Donuts throughout the state was arrested by Suffield Police Thursday afternoon, police said.

— mikaela porter, courant.com, "Suffield Police: Man Suspected Of Numerous Nighttime Dunkin' Donuts Burglaries Arrested," 18 Aug. 2017
Commercial burglaries also dropped, from 29 last year to 25 this year.

— elizabeth marie himchak, Rancho Bernardo, "Rancho Bernardo crime trends show improvement," 17 Aug. 2017
His watch was missing but not his wallet with $200, making burglary an unlikely motive.

— james c. mckinley jr., New York Times, "21 Years After Stabbing, Victim’s Wife Is Charged With Murder," 15 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'burglary.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of burglary

circa 1523

Other Legal Terms

actionable, alienable, carceral, chattel, complicity, decedent, larceny, malfeasance, modus operandi

BURGLARY Defined for English Language Learners

burglary

play

noun

Definition of burglary for English Language Learners

: the act of illegally entering a building in order to steal things

BURGLARY Defined for Kids

burglary

play

noun bur·glary \ ˈbər-glə-rē \

Definition of burglary for Students

plural burglaries

:the act of breaking into a building especially at night with the intent to commit a crime (as theft)

Law Dictionary

burglary

play

noun bur·glary \ ˈbər-glə-rē \

legal Definition of burglary

plural burglaries

:the act of breaking and entering an inhabited structure (as a house) especially at night with intent to commit a felony (as murder or larceny); also :the act of entering or remaining unlawfully (as after closing to the public) in a building with intent to commit a crime (as a felony)

Note: The crime of burglary was originally defined under the common law to protect people, since there were other laws (as those defining larceny and trespass) that protected property. State laws have broadened the common-law crime. Entering at night is often no longer required and may be considered an aggravating factor. The building may be something other than a dwelling, such as a store or pharmacy. Some states (as Louisiana) have included vehicles under their burglary statute. There are degrees of burglary, and some of the usual aggravating factors are the presence of people and use of a deadly weapon.

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