burglary

[bur-gluh-ree]

noun

Criminal Law.

plural

burglaries 

1. the felony of breaking into and entering the house of another at night with intent to steal, extended by statute to cover the breaking into and entering of any of various buildings, by night or day.

burglary

/ bɜːˈɡlɛərɪəs, ˈbɜːɡlərɪ /

noun

1. English criminal law the crime of either entering a building as a trespasser with the intention of committing theft, rape, grievous bodily harm, or damage, or, having entered as a trespasser, of committing one or more of these offences

Other Word Forms

• antiburglary adjective
• burglarious adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of burglary¹

1150–1200; Middle English < Anglo-French burglarie; burglar, -y ³

Example Sentences

Another ‘Real Housewives of Potomac’ star is facing legal trouble: Wendy Osefo and her husband allegedly fraudulently reported a burglary and theft last year.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Earlier this year, special investigators in Chile — where some theft rings have originated — targeted a gang in eastern Santiago believed to be behind residential burglaries and occasional home invasions.

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Fraser, of Beckton, east London, pleaded guilty to one count of burglary and may be eligible for immediate release due to time spent on electronic curfew.

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Andres Villalobos, 35, faces 29 felony counts of grand theft, two felony counts of possession of an explosive and one felony count of commercial burglary, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.

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On Thursday, Alford was charged with burglary, peeking, invading privacy, possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of ammunition by a felon and trespassing, according to court records.

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Related Words

• break in 
• crime 
• heist 
• larceny 
• robbery 
• theft