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breach definition

breach (brēc̸h)

noun

  1. Obsolete a breaking or being broken
  2. a failure to observe the terms, as of a law or promise, the customary forms, etc.; violation; infraction
  3. an opening made by a breakthrough, as in a wall, line of defense, etc.
  4. a broken or torn place or part
  5. a breaking of waves over or upon a ship, sea wall, etc.
  6. a whale's leap clear of the water
  7. a break in friendly relations

Etymology: ME breche < OE bryce < brecan (see break); infl. by OFr breche < OHG brecha, of same orig.

transitive verb

  1. to make a breach in; break open or through
  2. to break or violate (a contract, covenant, etc.)

intransitive verb

to leap clear of the water: said of a whale

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

business breach definition - business

law breach definition - legal

breach Synonyms

breach

n.

  1. An opening, especially in fortifications

    break, gap, rupture; see break 1, hole 1, 2.

  2. An infraction of law or custom

    violation, infringement, transgression; see crime 1, 2, violation 1.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

breach Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • contract: A: I sued Harcourt Brace for breach of contract for taking my book off the market.

Object

  • confidentiality: No information specific to individuals, or which would breach confidentiality, should be included in the report.

Converse of object

  • constitute: Anything you think constitutes a serious breach of Jolt ethic must be brought quickly to the attention of an admins.

Noun phrase with adjective complement

  • 3(1: They were fined £ 15,000 for breaching Section 3(1 ) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 ( HSWA ).

Adjective modifier

  • alleged: A point of order may only relate to an alleged breach of these Council Rules of Procedure or the law.
breach usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

breach quotes

Our two souls therefore, which are one, Though I must go, endure not yet A breach, but an expansion, Like gold to airy thinness beat.

-Donne,John

breach quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"breach." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/breach>

APA Style

breach. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/breach

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