Definition

The act of illegally entering someone else's home with the intention to commit a crime, usually theft.

Example

The police arrested him for housebreaking after they found him inside the empty house.

Conversation

Did you hear about that recent housebreaking in our neighborhood?

Yeah, I saw it on the news; it's pretty scary.

I can't believe people would do that so close to home.

I know, we should be more careful and lock our doors.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Housebreaking is formed from "house" (from Old English *hus*, meaning a dwelling or shelter) and "breaking" (from Old English *brecan*, meaning to break). The term refers to the act of breaking into a house, typically with the intent to commit a crime.

Memory Tip

Think of a 'house' as a dwelling and 'breaking' as the act of breaking in — together, they describe the act of unlawfully entering a home.

Visually Confused Words