burglary

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

Updated on: 23 May 2018

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

—

burglarious

play \ˌbər-ˈgler-ē-əs\ adjective

—

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

Police, responding to a burglary in progress, found Gross walking through a backyard near the house.

— lee bergquist, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "HIV-positive Wauwatosa man sentenced to 15 years in prison for having sex with teen boy," 19 May 2018
Police found a Glock handgun in the Dodge Neon that had been reported stolen during a home burglary several days earlier.

— glenn e. rice, kansascity, "Man charged in Northland shootings faces new criminal charges | The Kansas City Star," 17 May 2018
Deputies with the Harris County Sheriff's Office were called to a burglary of an apartment in the 5900 block of FM 1960 West around 5:30 p.m., deputies said.

— jay r. jordan, Houston Chronicle, "Suspected burglar shoots himself in Cypress apartment as deputies close in," 17 May 2018
According to the New York Police Department, a burglary was reported at their neighbors' home the day after Christmas in 2011.

— kwegyirba croffie, CNN, "Couple finds buried safe full of money, gold and jewelry in their backyard," 17 May 2018
Officers responded to a call about a possible burglary in the 7800 block of Hillside Avenue around 10 a.m. Thursday after a man was seen exiting the singer's home, according to Officer Rosario Herrera, an LAPD spokeswoman.

— james queally, latimes.com, "Man arrested after break-in at Rihanna's Hollywood Hills home," 11 May 2018
Police say the suspect is linked to another burglary in Leilani Estates.

— Fox News, "The Latest: Volcano park to close ahead of explosive threat," 11 May 2018
On April 28, police were dispatched to a Rockside Road regarding a burglary.

— john benson, cleveland.com, "Woman scammed out of $184,000 playing Words with Friends: Seven Hills Police Blotter," 10 May 2018
The woman claimed there was a burglary in progress.

— deepti hajela, BostonGlobe.com, "Bob Marley’s granddaughter wants accountability for police stop," 10 May 2018

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

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Other Legal Terms

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

BURGLARY Defined for English Language Learners

burglary

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

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

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.

—