: an act of breaking open and entering the dwelling house of another with a felonious purpose

Examples of housebreaking in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The three inmates were also charged with escaping lawful custody, housebreaking, robbery, and two counts of kidnapping. Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 8 Mar. 2024 Last week, the suspects were returned to Grenada, where they were all charged with two counts of capital murder, escaping lawful custody, housebreaking, robbery and two counts of kidnapping. Chris Eberhart, Fox News, 15 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1607, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of housebreaking was in 1607

Dictionary Entries Near housebreaking

Cite this Entry

“Housebreaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/housebreaking. Accessed 6 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

housebreaking

noun
: the act of breaking into a person's house with the intention of committing a crime

Legal Definition

housebreaking

noun
: the act of breaking into and entering the dwelling house of another for the purpose of committing a felony
housebreaker noun
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