noun
Common
breach
BREECH
Breach (noun) means a failure to follow a law, agreement, or rule. Example: “Sharing your password with others is a breach of the website's rules.”
noun
1
A failure to follow a law, agreement, or rule.
"Sharing your password with others is a breach of the website's rules."
"Leaking the client's data was a serious breach of confidentiality."
"The company was sued for breach of contract."
2
A gap made by breaking through something solid, such as a wall or defence.
"The storm left a wide breach in the sea wall near the harbour."
"Workers rushed to seal the breach in the dam before the water rose."
"Soldiers poured through the breach in the castle wall."
verb
1
To break through or violate something.
"If you breach the contract, you may have to pay compensation."
"Hackers breached the company's servers overnight."
"The flood breached the river's embankment."
How to use breach
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBreaking a rule, agreement, or physical barrier — used for anything from data leaks to burst river banks.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
data breach
breach of contract
security breach
breach the wall
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Word forms
- Plural
- breaches
- Third person singular
- breaches
- Past tense
- breached
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Sharing your password with others is a _____ of the website's rules.
Etymology
From Old English bryce and brǣc ("a breaking"), related to the verb "break."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for breach
See all rhymes for breach →Frequently asked questions
What does “breach” mean?
The word “breach” means a failure to follow a law, agreement, or rule. In plain terms, breaking a rule, agreement, or physical barrier — used for anything from data leaks to burst river banks.
How do you pronounce “breach”?
“Breach” is pronounced BREECH (/ˈbɹiːt͡ʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “breach” in a sentence?
Here is “breach” used in a sentence: “Leaking the client's data was a serious breach of confidentiality.”
What is another word for “breach”?
Words with a similar meaning to “breach” include break, gap, rift and rupture.
What part of speech is “breach”?
Depending on how it is used, “breach” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “breach” come from?
The word “breach” comes from Old English. From Old English bryce and brǣc ("a breaking"), related to the verb "break.".
Is “breach” a common word?
“Breach” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “breach” have?
“Breach” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a failure to follow a law, agreement, or rule.
What is the difference between 'breach' and 'violation'?
Both describe a failure to obey a rule or agreement and often overlap. 'Breach' is especially common in legal and contractual contexts, as in 'breach of contract,' while 'violation' is used more broadly for breaking laws, rights, or standards.
What is the difference between 'breach' and 'break'?
'Break' is a general word for separating something into pieces or stopping something, while 'breach' specifically means either violating a rule or making a gap in a barrier. You break a cup, but you breach a wall or an agreement.
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