Breach
/briːtʃ/
nounIntermediateCommonLegal
Idiom
Meanings
Questions
Definitions
2 meanings1
An act of breaking or violating a law, agreement, or code of conduct.
/briːtʃ/
nounnegativeIntermediate
Legal
A violation or infraction.
There was a breach in the dam.
💡 Simply: Breaking a rule or agreement.
More Examples
2
A breach of trust led to their downfall.
How It's Used
Legal
"A breach of contract resulted in a lawsuit."
Security
"The company suffered a security breach."
2
To make a gap in; to break through.
/briːtʃ/
verbnegativeIntermediate
General
To break through or violate.
The flood breached the riverbank.
💡 Simply: To break or violate something.
More Examples
2
The hackers breached the system's security.
How It's Used
Military
"The enemy breached the defenses."
Figurative
"They breached the agreement."
Tip:Imagine a wall being broken.
Idioms & expressions
breach of contract
A violation of the terms of a contract.
"The company was sued for breach of contract."
From Old French *breche, from breker "to break".
Historically, 'breach' was primarily used in military contexts, referring to a break in fortifications.
Memory tip
Think of 'breaking' a promise.
Practice
Base: breach
breechbreach
Usage
30%Spoken
70%Written