housebreaking

The act of using physical force to gain access to, and entering, a house with an intent to commit a felony inside.

In most states, housebreaking that occurs at night constitutes the crime of Burglary. Some statutes expand the definition of housebreaking to include breaking out of a house after entry has been achieved without the use of physical force, such as when access was gained under False Pretenses.

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housebreaking noun appropriation, breaking and entering, burglarizing, burglary, felony, forcible entry, larceny, looting, pilfering, plundering, raiding, robbery, stealing, theft, thievery, trespassing

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See also: burglary