housebreaking

/ ˈhaʊsˌbreɪkɪŋ /

noun

1. criminal law the act of entering a building as a trespasser for an unlawful purpose. Assimilated with burglary, 1968

Derived Forms

• ˈhouseˌbreaker, noun

Example Sentences

Old fashioned crimes like housebreaking are falling.

From BBC

Eklund’s lawyers appealed, and when it turned out that Ray, the witness, had perjured himself — he claimed not to have had a criminal record when he had served time for housebreaking and perjury — Eklund was granted a new trial.

From Washington Post

Produced on June 21, 2020, eight days after Mr. David’s arrest, the report said there was information indicating that he was involved in “a housebreaking and theft” at a farm belonging to Mr. Ramaphosa.

From New York Times

“It helps with housebreaking, although the person who found her said she seemed housebroken.”

From Literature

Oink, the piglet, makes an indelible mark in not always welcome ways — housebreaking is an issue — and Babs, his owner, has her hands full, especially with a visiting grandfather obsessed with a sausage-making contest.

From New York Times

Related Words

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