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.

Another person was arrested for a breach of the peace.

From BBC • Nov. 6, 2025

Surrey Police made three arrests at a protest outside the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel - two for breach of the peace and one for breaching the conditions of a community protection notice.

From BBC • Aug. 23, 2025

Mr Marshall, from Carluke in South Lanarkshire, was 30 when he died nine years ago while on remand awaiting a court appearance over unpaid fines and breach of the peace charges.

From BBC • Jul. 23, 2024

The Chesterfield County deputies were charged Monday with misconduct in office, criminal conspiracy and aggravated breach of the peace, according to the warrants from the State Law Enforcement Division.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 13, 2024

"I'm thinking ye will at least be held fully responsible for anything calculated to cause a breach of the peace."

From The Mistress of Bonaventure by Bindloss, Harold

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