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View synonyms for break-in

break-in

[ breyk-in ]

noun

  1. an illegal entry into a home, car, office, etc.


break in

verb

  1. sometimes foll by on to interrupt
  2. intr to enter a house, etc, illegally, esp by force
  3. tr to accustom (a person or animal) to normal duties or practice
  4. tr to use or wear (shoes, new equipment, etc) until comfortable or running smoothly
  5. tr to bring (new land) under cultivation
“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


noun

    1. the illegal entering of a building, esp by thieves
    2. ( as modifier )

      the break-in plans

“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
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Word History and Origins

Origin of break-in1

First recorded in 1855–60; noun use of verb phrase break in
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Example Sentences

You know, like Nixon tried to shunt responsibility for the break-in on to Liddy, Sturgis, et al.

For Nixon, it was the Watergate break-in, designed to filch political plans of his 1972 foes.

The McDaniel campaign has strongly denied any link to the break-in or to Kelly.

But within hours it was hacked and the break-in code was released.

Nixon never needed help from the Watergate break-in to win the 1972 race, in which he only lost one state.

It only needed the break-in of the Patrol to complete the illusion of action-fiction—crime variety.

A young ox is generally more difficult to break-in than an old one: I do not know why.

They also breed and break-in camels, which they sell in the Tiflis market.

That awk'ard—why, he can't finish off a glass rod without break-in' it, or burning himself!

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break groundbreaking