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

L.A. officials announced the arrests of suspected members of a burglary crew that is alleged to have carried out nearly 100 break-ins across the city.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Roske pleaded guilty in April, nearly three years after being arrested outside Kavanaugh’s house with a pistol, zip ties, duct tape, pepper spray, crowbar and hammer, along with other burglary tools, according to court records.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Prowell has yet to enter a plea to charges of murder, attempted murder, carjacking, robbery, burglary and assault.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Two men have been charged with burglary after gold jewellery dating to the Bronze Age was stolen from St Fagans National Museum of History in Cardiff.

Read more on BBC

Two men have been arrested on suspicion of burglary after Bronze Age gold jewellery was stolen from St Fagans National Museum of History in Cardiff.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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