breach
BREECH
/briːtʃ/
An act of breaking or failing to observe a law, agreement, or code of conduct; a gap in a wall or barrier.
Implies a violation of trust or a physical breaking through a defense.
The story behind the word. It comes from the same Germanic root as 'break.' It has always carried the sense of a physical or metaphorical snap in something that should be solid.
Word relationships
- violation: 'Violation' is more about the act of breaking a rule; 'breach' can also be the physical hole created.
- observance: 'Observance' is the act of following a rule or law.
Commonly confused with
- breech: 'Breach' is a break; 'breech' refers to the back part of a gun or a baby born feet-first.
Collocations
- breach of security
- breach of contract
- security breach
Idioms & expressions
- step into the breach
Example sentences
- "The company was sued for a breach of contract after failing to deliver the goods on time." A legal violation.
- "The enemy soldiers managed to find a breach in the city walls and poured into the streets." A physical gap.
Memory hook
Think of 'Breach' as 'Break-each'—breaking each part of a wall or a contract. A hole in the wall.
When not to use
Not for a polite pause in a conversation; use 'interruption'.
Fun facts
- When a whale 'breaches,' it breaks the surface of the water with a spectacular leap.
Related words
Explore more words
infringement, infringe, default, enforce, infidelity, negligence
Also appears in
- Technology → Cybersecurity & Privacy
- Law → Contracts & Agreements
- Law → Negligence & Liability
- Military Science & Warfare → Cyber Warfare & Sabotage
- Military Science & Warfare → Siege Warfare & Fortifications
- Criminology, Law Enforcement & Penal Systems → Cybercrime & Digital Fraud
- Digital Life & Internet Culture → Cybersecurity Habits
- Home & Domestic Life → Home Security & Alarms
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