Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense breaches, present participle breaching, past tense, past participle breached
1. verb
If you breach an agreement, a law, or a promise, you break it.
The newspaper breached the code of conduct on privacy. [VERB noun]
The film breached the criminal libel laws. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: break, violate, go against, flout More Synonyms of breach
2. variable noun
A breachof an agreement, a law, or a promise is an act of breaking it.
The congressman was accused of a breach of secrecy rules. [+ of]
...a $1 billion breach of contract suit. [+ of]
Synonyms: nonobservance, abuse, violation, infringement More Synonyms of breach
3. countable noun
A breachin a relationship is a serious disagreement which often results in the relationship ending.
[formal]
Their actions threatened a serious breach in relations between the two countries. [+ in]
Little happens to heal the breach between the two warring factions. [+ between]
4. verb
If someone or something breaches a barrier, they make an opening in it, usually leaving it weakened or destroyed.
[formal]
The limestone is sufficiently fissured for tree roots to have breached the roof ofthe cave. [VERB noun]
Fire may have breached the cargo tanks and set the oil ablaze. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: break through, split, rupture, burst through More Synonyms of breach
5. verb
If you breach someone's security or their defences, you manage to get through and attack an area that is heavily guarded and protected.
The bomber had breached security by hurling his dynamite from a roof overlookingthe building. [VERB noun]
Breach is also a noun.
...widespread breaches of security at Ministry of Defence bases.
6.
See step into the breach
More Synonyms of breach
breach in British English
(briːtʃ)
noun
1.
a crack, break, or rupture
2.
a breaking, infringement, or violation of a promise, obligation, etc
3.
any severance or separation
there was a breach between the two factions of the party
4.
a gap in an enemy's fortifications or line of defence created by bombardment or attack
5.
the act of a whale in breaking clear of the water
6.
the breaking of sea waves on a shore or rock
7. an obsolete word for wound1
verb
8. (transitive)
to break through or make an opening, hole, or incursion in
9. (transitive)
to break a promise, law, etc
10. (intransitive)
(of a whale) to break clear of the water
Word origin
Old English bræc; influenced by Old French brèche, from Old High German brecha, from brechan to break
breach in American English
(britʃ)
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
verb transitive
8.
to make a breach in; break open or through
9.
to break or violate (a contract, covenant, etc.)
verb intransitive
10.
to leap clear of the water
said of a whale
Word origin
ME breche < OE bryce < brecan (see break); infl. by OFr breche < OHG brecha, of same orig.
Examples of 'breach' in a sentence
breach
These incidents potentially constitute breaches of the laws of the game.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We are not breaching copyright laws.
The Sun (2016)
Banking covenants are breached when borrowings reach at 3.5 times.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
It made the U-turn after the web giant said spying breached its terms.
The Sun (2016)
The security breach came after she left their Brighton home and went into hiding.
The Sun (2016)
Inevitably, this pact is bad news if you breach its terms.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
It may also be a breach of confidentiality obligations owed by the business, or a breach of statutory duties such as data protection obligations.
Computing (2010)
There was also no breach of the claimants' rights under the Convention.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He spoke of'the most serious breaches of the criminal law in the area of bribery and corruption '.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
He was on a birdwatching trip when the whale breached.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
This led to the group being in danger of breaching banking covenants.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
It would also breach the terms of a residential mortgage.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
There must be effective policing of the code and effective sanctions when the code is breached.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
We need to recognise that a security breach is often the unwitting action of employees.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The judge said the book breached her copyright and banned it.
The Sun (2009)
This is claimed to be a clear breach of regulations.
The Sun (2007)
None of the alleged breaches was gross misconduct.
The Sun (2015)
The company breached its banking agreements earlier this year.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
She was also in breach of a previous suspended sentence.
The Sun (2009)
Criminal law experts said that it was likely the breach was serious.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
They say they are worried about possible security breaches.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The worsening storm engulfing the sector will inevitably trigger fears of widespread covenant breaches.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
It suspended its dividend and came within a whisker of breaching its loan terms.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Australia surged back and reduced the deficit with six minutes remaining but failed to breach a resolute defence.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
But it is at least technically possible that a country that is in breach of its obligationscan be removed.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Last night the producers were accused of seeking to hire classical musicians for the show in breach of employment law.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
How can the barriers be breached?
Christianity Today (2000)
But this was not a case of forgetfulness or a breach of promise; it was another misunderstanding.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Quotations
Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once moreWilliam ShakespeareHenry V
In other languages
breach
British English: breach VERB
If you breach an agreement, a law, or a promise, you break it.
The newspaper breached the code of conduct on privacy.
American English: breach
Brazilian Portuguese: abrir brecha em
Chinese: 违反
European Spanish: quebrantar
French: ne pas respecter
German: verletzen
Italian: violare
Japanese: 違反する
Korean: 어기다
European Portuguese: quebrar
Latin American Spanish: quebrantar
British English: breach NOUN
A breach of an agreement, a law, or a promise is an act of breaking it.
The man was accused of a breach of secrecy rules.
American English: breach
Brazilian Portuguese: brecha
Chinese: 违反
European Spanish: brecha
French: infraction
German: Bruch
Italian: violazione
Japanese: 違反
Korean: 어기다
European Portuguese: quebra
Latin American Spanish: brecha
All related terms of 'breach'
anticipatory breach
a declaration by one party to a contract that it does not intend to fulfil its obligations to the second party, who can then accept this declaration and choose not to be bound by the contract
breach of contract
the act of breaking the conditions of a contract
breach of faith
a violation of good faith , confidence , or trust ; betrayal
breach of promise
(formerly) failure to carry out one's promise to marry
breach of security
an act that violates a country, area, or building's security measures
breach of trust
a violation of duty by a trustee or any other person in a fiduciary position
breach of the peace
A breach of the peace is noisy or violent behaviour in a public place which is illegal because it disturbs other people.
step into the breach
If you step into the breach , you do a job or task which someone else was supposed to do or has done in the past , because they are suddenly unable to do it.