Synonyms

breach of the peace

American

noun

Law.

a violation of the public peace, as by a riot, disturbance, etc.

breach of the peace British

noun

law an offence against public order causing an unnecessary disturbance of the peace

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of breach of the peace

First recorded in 1665–75

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.

See Examples For:

breach of the peace

Prison officers had previously claimed the 30-year-old, who was on remand for unpaid fines and breach of the peace, had smashed up his cell and covered himself in excrement.

From BBC ● Jun. 25, 2026

Another person was arrested for a breach of the peace.

From BBC ● Nov. 6, 2025

Tammy never reported Booth but in 2016 she was convicted of a breach of the peace against him.

From BBC ● Apr. 10, 2025

BBC Scotland News understands the girl was arrested for an alleged breach of the peace.

From BBC ● Jul. 15, 2024

On the other hand he did not like to take the responsibility of urging the people of Belfast to commit a breach of the peace.

From The Red Hand of Ulster by George A. Birmingham

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023