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burglary
noun
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.
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
Word History
circa 1533, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing burglary
Dictionary Entries Near burglary
Cite this Entry
“Burglary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/burglary. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
burglary
nounLegal Definition
burglary
nounNote: 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.
Anglo-French burglarie, modification of Medieval Latin burgaria, from burgare to break into (a house)
More from Merriam-Webster on burglary
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for burglary
Nglish: Translation of burglary for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of burglary for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about burglary
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