breach Definition
- 1an act of breaking or failing to observe a law, agreement, or code of conduct
- 2a gap in a wall, barrier, or defense, especially one made by an attacking army
Using breach: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "breach" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The company was fined for breaching environmental regulations.
Example
The security breach allowed hackers to access sensitive information.
Example
The protesters breached the police barricade and entered the government building.
Example
The dam breach caused massive flooding in the nearby town.
breach Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for breach
- violation
- infringement
- transgression
- infraction
- trespass
Antonyms for breach
- compliance
- observance
Idioms Using breach
Example
Trying to finish the project within a week is a bridge too far for our team.
burn one's bridges
to do something that makes it impossible to return to a previous position or relationship
Example
By quitting without notice, he burned his bridges with the company and won't be able to get a reference from them.
water under the bridge
past events that are no longer important or relevant
Example
I know we had a disagreement in the past, but let's forget about it. It's water under the bridge now.
Phrases with breach
Example
The contractor was sued for breach of contract.
breach of trust
an act of disloyalty or betrayal, especially against someone who has placed their faith or confidence in the offender
Example
The embezzlement of funds was a breach of trust by the accountant.
breach of peace
an act of disturbance or violence that disrupts public order and tranquility
Example
The police arrested the rowdy fans for breach of peace.
Origins of breach
from Old English 'brǣc', meaning 'breaking of waves, fracture'
Summary: breach in Brief
The term 'breach' [briːtʃ] refers to the act of breaking a law, agreement, or code of conduct, or a gap in a wall or defense. Examples include 'The company was fined for breaching environmental regulations.' and 'The dam breach caused massive flooding in the nearby town.' Phrases like 'breach of contract' and 'breach of trust' denote specific types of violations, while idioms like 'a bridge too far' and 'water under the bridge' extend the concept to goals and past events.
