burglary

noun

bur·​glary ˈbər-glə-rē 

 also  -gə-lə-rē,

 also  -gəl-rē

plural burglaries

: the crime of entering a structure (such as a house or commercial building) with the intent to commit a felony (such as theft)

Note: Most jurisdictions divide burglary into degrees or classes according to the seriousness of the crime. Various aggravating factors (such as whether the structure is a dwelling, the presence of people, and whether the person entering is armed with a deadly weapon or explosives) contribute to the seriousness of the crime.

burglarious

ˌbər-ˈgler-ē-əs 

adjective

burglariously adverb

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a difference between burglarize and rob?

To burglarize is "to break into and enter of a building with the intent to commit a crime, often theft," whereas rob means " to take personal property from by violence or threat." Burglary need not entail violence or threat, and robbery need not entail breaking into a dwelling.

Is the verb form of burglary, burgle or burglarize?

The verb form of burglary can be either burglarize or burgle. "Burglarize," like many verb forms, is made by adding the suffix -ize, and this form is more common in American English. Burgle is a back-formation (a word formed by subtraction of a real or supposed affix from an already existing longer word), and is more common in British English. Both are widely accepted as correct.

Is burglarized a real word?

Yes, it is, and so is burgle. While both variants of the verb, burgle and burglarize, have been disparaged since they entered the language in the middle of the 19th century, both are real words, and both have come to be widely accepted.

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 on the Web

There were other items also recovered believed to be connected with recent burglaries in New Brighton, a Minneapolis suburb, the report said. —Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 30 May 2025

He was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole for first-degree burglary as a third striker, with various enhancements. —Harry Harris, Mercury News, 29 May 2025

The seven suspects were arrested in Arizona on Friday and are linked to burglaries in Burbank and other cities in California, Oregon and Washington, police said. —Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2025

Brainard is serving a five-year sentence for burglary of the third degree and larceny of an auto, aircraft or other motor vehicle, according to the department of corrections website. —Megan Forrester, ABC News, 27 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1533, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing burglary

• anti-burglary

Kids Definition

burglary

noun

bur·​glary ˈbər-glə-rē 

plural burglaries

: the act of breaking into a building (as a house) especially at night to steal

Legal Definition

burglary

noun

bur·​glary ˈbər-glə-rē 

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.

burglarious

ˌbər-ˈglar-ē-əs 

adjective

Etymology

Anglo-French burglarie, modification of Medieval Latin burgaria, from burgare to break into (a house)