View synonyms for

break-in

[ breyk-in ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

break in

sometimes foll by on to interrupt
intr to enter a house, etc, illegally, esp by force
tr to accustom (a person or animal) to normal duties or practice
tr to use or wear (shoes, new equipment, etc) until comfortable or running smoothly
tr to bring (new land) under cultivation

1. the illegal entering of a building, esp by thieves
2. ( as modifier )
  the break-in plans

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First recorded in 1855–60; noun use of verb phrase break in

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Examples have not been reviewed.

News of the break-in at Love Jewels spread quickly among the owner’s family through alarming text messages.

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The break-in occurred at about 5:30 a.m. and the action also involved spray-painting the outside of buildings.

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Snell, his wife and infant son were not home at the time of their break-in, and it is unclear from a police report what, if anything, was stolen.

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Authorities are investigating a break-in at a historic Nike missile site in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area outside San Francisco.

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The break-in kicked off the unravelling of the scandal that toppled President Richard Nixon.

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