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breach

BREECH /briːtʃ/

nounverbB2SATGRE

formallegal

An act of breaking or failing to observe a law, agreement, or code of conduct; in computing, an unauthorized entry into a secure system.

Implies a rupture in a defensive perimeter.

The story behind the word. Derived from the Old English 'bryce,' which meant a breaking or a fragment. It shares a common ancestor with the word 'break.' Originally used for physical walls, it transitioned to legal 'breaks' in contracts and finally to digital 'breaks' in security.

Word relationships

violation: Violation is more general; breach specifically suggests a break in a barrier or agreement.
intrusion: Intrusion focuses on the act of entering; breach focuses on the failure of the defense.

uphold: To maintain a law or agreement rather than breaking it.

Commonly confused with

breech: Breech refers to the back part of a gun or a birth position; breach is a break or gap.

Word family

unbreachable (adjective): Impossible to break through.

Collocations

data breach
security breach
breach of contract

Idioms & expressions

step into the breach

Example sentences

"The company suffered a massive data breach that exposed the personal information of millions of customers." A corporate announcement regarding security.
"Any unauthorized access to the database shall be considered a material breach of this agreement." A legal discussion on contracts.

Memory hook

A 'breach' is a 'beach' where the security wall has washed away. A hole in the wall.

When not to use

Don't use it for a simple mistake; it implies a forceful or unauthorized crossing of a boundary.

Fun facts

In the Middle Ages, a 'breach' specifically referred to a gap made in a fortification during a siege.