1
: the act or action of breaking in
a rash of break-ins at the new apartment house
2
: a performance or a series of performances serving as a trial run
3
: an initial period of operation during which working parts begin to function efficiently
broke in; broken in; breaking in; breaks in
1
: to enter something (such as a building or computer system) without consent or by force
2
a
: intrude
break in upon his privacy
b
: to interrupt a conversation
3
: to start in an activity or enterprise
breaking in as a cub reporter
1
: to accustom to a certain activity or occurrence
break in the new clerk
2
: to overcome the stiffness or newness of
break in a pair of shoes
Examples of break-in in a Sentence
Verb
the burglars broke in by smashing a window
he rudely broke in to drop the names of several celebrities that he had met
Recent Examples on the Web
Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 1 May 2025
Tap the Neighbors tab to view pictures and video of events in your neighborhood such as porch thefts, attempted break-ins, and acts of vandalism.
—PC Magazine, 28 Apr. 2025
Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 7 May 2025
Dior’s high jewelry campaign is set to break in May on the brand’s website, social media channels as well as print and digital media globally.
—Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for break-in
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Noun
This weekend’s incident is the latest in a spate of subway car break-ins.
—Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 1 May 2025
Tap the Neighbors tab to view pictures and video of events in your neighborhood such as porch thefts, attempted break-ins, and acts of vandalism.
—PC Magazine, 28 Apr. 2025
Verb
The weather service said there will be a break in storm activity later in the morning, but by mid- to late afternoon, another wave of showers and thunderstorms is expected to push through.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 7 May 2025
Dior’s high jewelry campaign is set to break in May on the brand’s website, social media channels as well as print and digital media globally.
—Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for break-in
Cite this Entry
“Break-in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/break-in. Accessed 12 May. 2025.
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