What is the meaning of break in?

verb

  • Enter someone's (virtual or real) property in an unauthorized manner, usually with the intent to steal or commit a violent act.
    • usage: "Someone broke in while I was on vacation"; "They broke into my car and stole my radio"; "who broke into my account last night"
  • Break into a conversation.
    • usage: "her husband always chimes in, even when he is not involved in the conversation"
  • Start in a certain activity, enterprise, or role.
  • Intrude on uninvited.
    • usage: "The nosy couple broke in on our conversation"
  • Break so as to fall inward.
    • usage: "He broke in the door"
  • Make submissive, obedient, or useful.
    • usage: "The horse was tough to break"; "I broke in the new intern"
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APAWordNet. (2010). break in. Retrieved September 20, 2026, from http://smartdefine.org/break_in/definitions/1261661
ChicagoWordNet. 2010. "break in" http://smartdefine.org/break_in/definitions/1261661 (accessed September 20, 2026).
HarvardWordNet 2010, break in, Smart Define, viewed 20 September, 2026, <http://smartdefine.org/break_in/definitions/1261661>.
MLAWordNet. "break in" 23 October 2010. Web. 20 September 2026. <http://smartdefine.org/break_in/definitions/1261661>