breach

[briːtʃ]

Origin

From Old French "breche" (gap, break), from Frankish "breka" (broken), ultimately from Proto-Germanic "brekaną" (to break)

Meanings

1. (noun) A gap, break, or hole in something

   • "There was a breach in the castle wall."

2. (noun) A violation or infraction of a law, agreement, or code of conduct

   • "The company was responsible for a major data security breach."

3. (verb) To break through, gap, or violate

   • "The hackers breached the firewall."

Example Sentences

• The whales breached the surface of the ocean.
• Her actions constituted a breach of contract.
• Security forces prevented any breach of the perimeter.

Related Words

• Forms:

  • breached (past tense)
  • breaching (present participle)
  • breaches (plural)

• Synonyms:

  • violation
  • infringement
  • break
  • gap
  • rupture
  • transgression

Memory Tricks

1. Think "Break + REACH" = BREACH (something that breaks through and reaches the other side)
2. Remember the phrase "Bad Reaches Eventually Affect CHange" to recall its meaning related to violations
3. Picture a whale breaking through water - a common usage of "breach" in nature

Common Collocations

• breach of contract
• security breach
• breach of trust
• breach of protocol
• breach of peace