breach

/britʃ/

/britʃ/

Other forms: breaches; breached; breaching

A breach is a violation of a law, duty, or promise. If you'd contracted to mow your neighbor's lawn and don't do it, he can sue you for breach of contract. Or he can mow the lawn himself.

Breach traces back to the Old English verb: brecan, "to break," which is what breach really means — "a breaking of something." Breach of contract is a legal way of saying you broke a promise. If your great aunt Edna is a stickler for propriety, she may be horrified when you eat your meat with the salad fork, considering it a breach of good manners.

Definitions of breach

1. noun

   an opening (especially a gap in a dike or fortification)
   type of:

   gap, opening

   an open or empty space in or between things
2. noun

   a personal or social separation (as between opposing factions)
   synonyms: break, falling out, rift, rupture, severance

   types:

   schism

   the formal separation of a church into two churches or the withdrawal of one group over doctrinal differences

   type of:

   breakup, detachment, separation

   coming apart
3. verb

   make an opening or gap in
   synonyms: gap

   type of:

   open, open up

   cause to open or to become open
4. noun

   a failure to perform some promised act or obligation
   types:

   breach of contract

   a breach of a legal duty; failure to do something that is required in a contract

   breach of duty

   a breach of due care

   anticipatory breach, constructive breach

   a breach of contract committed prior to the time of required performance

   breach of the covenant of warranty

   a failure of the seller's guarantee of good title

   breach of promise

   failure to keep a promise (of marriage)

   breach of trust

   violation (either through fraud or negligence) by a trustee of a duty that equity requires of him

   breach of warranty

   a breach that occurs when an item is deficient according to the terms of a warranty

   material breach

   a breach serious enough to destroy the value of the contract and to give a basis for an action for breach of contract

   partial breach

   a breach that does not destroy the value of the contract but can give rise to a claim for damages

   type of:

   failure

   an unexpected omission
5. verb

   act in disregard of laws, rules, contracts, or promises
   synonyms: break, go against, infract, offend, transgress, violate

   types:

   sin, transgress, trespass

   commit a sin; violate a law of God or a moral law

   blunder, boob, drop the ball, goof, sin

   commit a faux pas or a fault or make a serious mistake

   conflict, contravene, infringe, run afoul

   go against, as of rules and laws

   trespass

   break the law

   intrude, trespass

   enter unlawfully on someone's property

   fall

   yield to temptation or sin

   break, break in

   enter someone's (virtual or real) property in an unauthorized manner, usually with the intent to steal or commit a violent act

   type of:

   disrespect

   show a lack of respect for