Synonyms

breach of the peace

American

noun

Law.

a violation of the public peace, as by a riot, disturbance, etc.

breach of the peace British

noun

law an offence against public order causing an unnecessary disturbance of the peace

"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

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.

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

Another person was arrested for a breach of the peace.

From BBC

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

The policies include a new definition of what counts as a disruption to include “speech or conduct that is likely to incite an immediate breach of the peace.”

From Los Angeles Times

Police said officers "enforced cordons in the area to prevent a breach of the peace and three arrests were made".

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023