Burglary: meaning, definitions and examples

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burglary

 

[หˆbษœหษกlษ™ri ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

crime

Burglary is the act of illegally entering a building or property with the intent to commit a crime, usually theft. It is considered a serious offense in most jurisdictions.

Synonyms

break in, robbery, theft.

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Word Description / Examples
burglary

Burglary refers to the unlawful entry into a building with the intent to commit a crime, especially theft. Typically used in legal and official contexts.

  • The police are investigating a burglary at the local bank.
  • She was charged with burglary after breaking into the warehouse.
break in

Break in is often used to describe the act of entering a building illegally, typically by force. It can be used in informal conversations and may not always specify further criminal intent.

  • Someone tried to break in last night, but the alarm scared them away.
  • There was a break in at the office over the weekend.
theft

Theft is a general term for the act of stealing. It does not necessarily involve breaking into a place or using force; it simply means taking someone else's property without permission.

  • She was fired for theft after being caught stealing from the cash register.
  • The police reported a surge in bicycle thefts in the neighborhood.
robbery

Robbery involves taking something of value from a person or place through force or intimidation. Often conveys a sense of violence or direct threat.

  • He was arrested for armed robbery after holding up the convenience store.
  • The bank robbery was caught on security cameras.

Examples of usage

  • The police are investigating a series of burglaries in the neighborhood.
  • Home security systems are designed to prevent burglaries.
  • If caught, the burglar could face charges of burglary and trespassing.
  • The burglars stole valuable items from the house.
  • She was arrested for attempted burglary.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Old French term 'burglare', which means 'to break into'.
  • It's believed to have roots in the Germanic word 'burg', meaning 'fortress' or 'castle', implying a sense of breaking into a stronghold.
  • Used in English since the 14th century, it originally referred to a broader notion of breaking and entering.

Legal Aspects

  • Burglary typically involves illegal entry into a home or building with the intent to commit a crime, usually theft.
  • Penalties for burglary vary widely by jurisdiction, with some places imposing severe sentences for repeat offenders.
  • In many regions, the law distinguishes between burglary of residential and commercial properties.

Cultural References

  • Burglary has been a popular theme in movies and literature, often depicted in films like 'Ocean's Eleven' or books by authors like Agatha Christie.
  • The archetype of a clever thief can be found in many cultures, often portrayed heroically in folklore.
  • Famous heists, such as the Great Train Robbery, have entered popular culture as quintessential burglary stories.

Psychology

  • Studies show that the reasons behind burglary can range from economic necessity to thrill-seeking behavior.
  • The majority of burglars are often young males, which is highlighted in various psychological studies examining youth behavior.
  • Understanding burglar motives is crucial for prevention strategies and community safety initiatives.

Statistics

  • In many countries, burglary constitutes a significant portion of property crimes, affecting hundreds of thousands of homes each year.
  • Reported burglary rates tend to peak during the summer months when families are often on vacation.
  • Technology, such as security systems and neighborhood watch programs, has been shown to diminish burglary rates in various communities.

Translations

Translations of the word "burglary" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น roubo

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคšเฅ‹เคฐเฅ€

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Einbruch

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ pencurian

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะบั€ะฐะดั–ะถะบะฐ ะทั– ะทะปะพะผะพะผ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ wล‚amanie

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๅผท็›—

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท cambriolage

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ robo

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท hฤฑrsฤฑzlฤฑk

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์ ˆ๋„

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุณุฑู‚ุฉ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ vloupรกnรญ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ lรบpeลพ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅ…ฅๅฎค็›—็ชƒ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ vlom

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ innbrot

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ าฑั€ะปั‹า›

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒฅแƒฃแƒ แƒ“แƒแƒ‘แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ oฤŸurluq

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ robo

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #12,027, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.