intrusion

noun

in·​tru·​sion in-ˈtrü-zhən 

1

: the act of intruding or the state of being intruded

especially : the act of wrongfully entering upon, seizing, or taking possession of the property of another

2

: the forcible entry of molten rock or magma into or between other rock formations

also : the intruded magma

Examples of intrusion in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Downtown has become sketchier, said Lopez, who is on guard for any unwanted intrusions. —Thomas Curwen, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2024

Five North Korean drones crossed into South Korea, which is technically still at war with Pyongyang, in December, prompting Seoul to scramble fighter jets and attack helicopters and try to shoot them down, in the first such intrusion since 2017. —Reuters, NBC News, 11 July 2024

Due to the intrusion, Osha did not receive the same dark markings as Mae. —Keisha Hatchett, TVLine, 9 July 2024

Its flights of fancy jut against harsh intrusions of real-world absurdism, where human lives are coldly compressed through the intricacies of E.U. asylum law, while refugee smugglers charge their victims 20 euros extra for a sprinkling of pepper to ward off attack dogs. —Guy Lodge, Variety, 3 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin intrusion-, intrusio, from Latin intrudere

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing intrusion

• anti-intrusion

Kids Definition

intrusion

noun

in·​tru·​sion in-ˈtrü-zhən 

1

: the act of intruding : the state of being intruded

2

: the entry by force of melted rock into or between other rock formations

Legal Definition

intrusion

noun

in·​tru·​sion in-ˈtrü-zhən 

1

a

: the entry at common law of a stranger after a particular estate of freehold is determined before the person who holds it in remainder or reversion has taken possession

b

: the act of wrongfully entering upon, seizing, or taking possession of the property of another

2

: a trespassing on or encroachment upon something (as a right)

the Fourth Amendment demands that the showing of justification match the degree of intrusion

—Berger v. New York, 388 U.S. 41 (1968)