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breach

BREETCH /briːtʃ/

nounverbB2GRELSATTOEFL

formallegal

An act of breaking or failing to observe a law, agreement, obligation, or code of conduct.

Implies a rupture or failure to fulfill a specific rule, contract term, or duty.

The story behind the word. Derived from Old English brecan ('to break') and Middle English breche ('a gap or opening'). It expanded from physical gaps in castle walls to legal gaps created by breaking promises or legal duties.

Word relationships

violation: Violation applies broadly to rules or rights; breach frequently refers to contracts, duties, or walls.
infringement: Infringement is specifically used for intellectual property rights or statutory provisions.

observance: Observance is the act of complying with a law or contract.
compliance: Compliance means conforming to rules or agreements.

Commonly confused with

breech: Breach means a break or violation; breech refers to the rear part of something or childbirth position.

Word family

unbreached (adjective): Not broken or violated

Collocations

breach of contract
breach of trust
breach of duty
material breach

Idioms & expressions

breach of peace

Example sentences

"Failing to deliver the equipment by the agreed deadline was a material breach of contract." Contractual lawsuit
"The security firm investigated the unauthorized server access as a severe data breach." Cybersecurity compliance

Memory hook

BREACH sounds like BREAK — a break in contract or duty. A broken promise or fractured defense.

When not to use

Do not confuse with 'breech' (the back portion of a gun barrel or infant position).

Fun facts

A 'breach of promise to marry' used to be a recognized common-law tort lawsuit in the 19th century.