burglary

/ˈbʌrgləri/

/ˈbʌgləri/

Other forms: burglaries

A burglary is committed when a person breaks into a building with the intent of committing a crime, especially if the crime is to steal valuable items.

What's the difference between burglary and robbery? In a burglary, the criminal has to enter the building or structure illegally (breaking and entering), and the victim of the theft is unlikely to have contact with the burglar — or to even know about the theft until after the burglar is gone. In a robbery, however, a victim has to be present, and the criminal commits the crime by using violence or threatening the victim with violence.

Definitions of burglary

1. noun

   entering a building unlawfully with intent to commit a felony or to steal valuable property
   types:

   break-in, breaking and entering, housebreaking

   trespassing for an unlawful purpose; illegal entrance into premises with criminal intent

   home invasion

   burglary of a dwelling while the residents are at home

   type of:

   felony

   a serious crime (such as murder or arson)