burglary

noun

bur·​glary ˈbər-glə-rē 

 also  -gə-lə-rē,

 also  -gəl-rē

plural burglaries

: the crime of entering a structure (such as a house or commercial building) with the intent to commit a felony (such as theft)

Note: Most jurisdictions divide burglary into degrees or classes according to the seriousness of the crime. Various aggravating factors (such as whether the structure is a dwelling, the presence of people, and whether the person entering is armed with a deadly weapon or explosives) contribute to the seriousness of the crime.

burglarious

ˌbər-ˈgler-ē-əs 

adjective

burglariously adverb

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a difference between burglarize and rob?

To burglarize is "to break into and enter of a building with the intent to commit a crime, often theft," whereas rob means " to take personal property from by violence or threat." Burglary need not entail violence or threat, and robbery need not entail breaking into a dwelling.

Is the verb form of burglary, burgle or burglarize?

The verb form of burglary can be either burglarize or burgle. "Burglarize," like many verb forms, is made by adding the suffix -ize, and this form is more common in American English. Burgle is a back-formation (a word formed by subtraction of a real or supposed affix from an already existing longer word), and is more common in British English. Both are widely accepted as correct.

Is burglarized a real word?

Yes, it is, and so is burgle. While both variants of the verb, burgle and burglarize, have been disparaged since they entered the language in the middle of the 19th century, both are real words, and both have come to be widely accepted.

Examples of burglary in a Sentence

There have been a number of burglaries in the neighborhood in recent months.

He has been charged with attempted burglary.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Public Policy Institute of California found that shoplifting and commercial burglaries in 2023 were higher than before Proposition 47 passed. —Jack Birle, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 2 Nov. 2024

The law imposed mandatory sentences of 25 years to life for felons with two prior violent crime convictions, treating even nonviolent felonies, such as residential burglary, as a third strike. —Christopher Goffard, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2024

The burglaries Lang is accused of resulted in hundreds to thousands of dollars worth of damages, the report says. —Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 24 Oct. 2024

The other was in possession of burglary tools and methamphetamine and was also on probation. —Anne Gelhaus, The Mercury News, 22 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1533, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing burglary

• anti-burglary

Kids Definition

burglary

noun

bur·​glary ˈbər-glə-rē 

plural burglaries

: the act of breaking into a building (as a house) especially at night to steal

Legal Definition

burglary

noun

bur·​glary ˈbər-glə-rē 

plural burglaries

: the act of breaking and entering an inhabited structure (as a house) especially at night with intent to commit a felony (as murder or larceny)

also : the act of entering or remaining unlawfully (as after closing to the public) in a building with intent to commit a crime (as a felony)

Note: The crime of burglary was originally defined under the common law to protect people, since there were other laws (as those defining larceny and trespass) that protected property. State laws have broadened the common-law crime. Entering at night is often no longer required and may be considered an aggravating factor. The building may be something other than a dwelling, such as a store or pharmacy. Some states (as Louisiana) have included vehicles under their burglary statute. There are degrees of burglary, and some of the usual aggravating factors are the presence of people and use of a deadly weapon.

burglarious

ˌbər-ˈglar-ē-əs 

adjective

Etymology

Anglo-French burglarie, modification of Medieval Latin burgaria, from burgare to break into (a house)