WordGarden.iobreach
C1Pronunciation
UK
- /brˈiːtʃ/
US
- /ˈbritʃ/
Meanings
Noun
a failure to obey a law, agreement, duty, or trust
an unauthorized break-in to data, security, or a computer system
a gap or opening made in a wall, barrier, or defense
Verb
to break or fail to keep a law, agreement, duty, or trust
to break through or cross a wall, barrier, or defense
for a whale or similar sea animal, to leap out of the water
Beyond the definition
A breach isn't just a gap in a wall—it's any breaking of a promise, rule, or agreement. Think of a castle wall with a breach; enemies can get through! Similarly, if you breach a contract, you break its terms. A data breach means sensitive information has been accessed without permission. It implies a serious violation and often carries consequences. You might hear about a "breach of security" or a "breach of trust."
Imagine two friends making a pact to keep a secret. If one friend tells someone else, that's a breach of their promise—an active violation of the agreement they made. Shakespeare used the word often, especially when describing broken vows or disrupted peace, emphasizing that a breach is more than just a mistake; it is a significant rupture in what was supposed to be secure.
To breach something means to break through, violate, or fail to uphold it. The word carries a sense of disruption and consequence. Originally referring to a physical gap—like a breach in a fortress wall allowing enemies access—its meaning has expanded into the legal, social, and digital realms.
You can breach a contract by failing to fulfill your obligations, leading to legal repercussions. A "breach of privacy" refers to unauthorized access to personal information, while a "breach of etiquette" involves violating social norms—like taking a phone call in a quiet theater. The word also describes physical gaps: "There was a small breach in the dam, causing water to leak through." Even in physical contexts, it implies a weakening or failure of something intended to remain intact.
Figuratively, a breach can represent a breakdown in relationships. A "breach of trust" signifies a loss of confidence that is often difficult to repair. You may also encounter the idiom "step into the breach," which means to fill a gap or take over a task when someone else is suddenly unavailable. Interestingly, the word has a specific meaning in the natural world: when a whale breaches, it leaps out of the water, breaking the surface in a spectacular display. Whether it is a physical gap, a broken promise, or a whale hitting the air, breach always suggests the crossing or breaking of a boundary.
Examples
- 1
Physical gap
The dog escaped through a breach in the fence.
- 2
Data security
The company told customers about a data breach that exposed email addresses.
- 3
Contract violation
Missing the deadline would put us in breach of the contract.
- Patternin breach of + rule/law/agreement
breaking it
- 4
Broken trust
She saw it as a breach of trust when he shared her secret.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Safety rules
The airline was fined for breaching safety rules.
- 6
Taking over
When the editor fell ill, her deputy stepped into the breach.
- Phrasestep into the breach
take over in a difficult situation when someone else cannot continue
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Do not confuse
Used with (collocations)
- breach of contract
- breach of trust
- security breach
- serious breach
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- breachnounverb
Forms
- breachedpast tenseverbnoun
- breachespluralnounverb
- breaching-ing formverbnoun