burglary
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of burglary
1150–1200; Middle English < Anglo-French burglarie; see burglar, -y 3
Explanation
A burglary is committed when a person breaks into a building with the intent of committing a crime, especially if the crime is to steal valuable items. What's the difference between burglary and robbery? In a burglary, the criminal has to enter the building or structure illegally (breaking and entering), and the victim of the theft is unlikely to have contact with the burglar — or to even know about the theft until after the burglar is gone. In a robbery, however, a victim has to be present, and the criminal commits the crime by using violence or threatening the victim with violence.
Vocabulary lists containing burglary
List 3
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Crime and Punishment
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
List 8
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Christopher Sanchez, 26, Owen Rivera-Chacon, 24, and Edisson Fabian Boyaca, 27, were arrested May 1 during a surveillance operation into the suspected burglary crew in Santa Clarita, prosecutors said.
From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2026
On Monday, the Los Angeles Police Department responded to a report of a burglary in the 1500 block of Rexford Drive, according to a police department news release.
From Los Angeles Times • May 8, 2026
MADISON, Wis.—Wayne Hsiung recently walked out of a Dane County courtroom to a reception that was unusual for a defendant charged with burglary.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026
When Thomas Ruby was tried for burglary in 1741, he 'begged very hard' to have his hat returned, explaining 'for he had none to wear'.
From Science Daily • May 7, 2026
Unfortunately, a nosy neighbor had mistaken the escape for a burglary in progress and had notified the police.
From "Hoot" by Carl Hiaasen
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
