breach of the peace
Americannoun
noun
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.
Police also said officers had intervened to prevent a breach of the peace after a group of counter-protesters appeared on Pall Mall on the route of the main march.
From BBC ● Mar. 28, 2026
Kastrati was earlier acquitted of charges of breach of the peace, stealing a car and motoring offences when the prosecution withdrew the charges.
From BBC ● Nov. 25, 2025
Mr Marshall, from Carluke in South Lanarkshire, was on remand for unpaid fines and breach of the peace charges when he experienced a mental health crisis.
From BBC ● Sep. 26, 2025
Police said officers "enforced cordons in the area to prevent a breach of the peace and three arrests were made".
From BBC ● Aug. 31, 2025
The two sections of the Argentine nation contrived to exist as separate governments without an open breach of the peace until 1859, when the long-continued tension led to the outbreak of hostilities.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 5 "Arculf" to "Armour, Philip" by Various
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.
