an act of breaking a law, promise, or agreement
The company was sued for a breach of contract.
Sharing customers’ personal data without permission is considered a serious breach of privacy.
✦ From Old French breche “break, opening,” from brechier “to break,” related to break.
a hole or opening in a wall, barrier, or defense, especially one made by force
Soldiers charged through the breach in the castle wall.
Huge waves created a breach in the sea defenses during the storm.
✦ Same origin as the sense of “violation,” referring to a broken place in a structure.
to break a law, promise, agreement, or accepted standard
The company breached environmental regulations.
He breaches the terms of his parole if he leaves the state.
✦ Verb sense developed from the noun meaning “break; violation.”
to force a way through or over something, or to leap clear of the water
Rising river water finally breached the dam.
Hackers managed to breach the firewall.
✦ Extended verbal sense of physically breaking through, recorded since the 16th century.
