1. (

• housebreaking ,
• break-in ,
• breaking_and_entering

) trespassing for an unlawful purpose; illegal entrance into premises with criminal intent ;

1. (

• break_in ,
• break ,

) enter someone's (virtual or real) property in an unauthorized manner, usually with the intent to steal or commit a violent act; "Someone broke in while I was on vacation"; "They broke into my car and stole my radio!"; "who broke into my account last night?" ;

2. (

• chime_in ,
• cut_in ,
• put_in ,
• butt_in ,
• chisel_in ,
• barge_in ,
• break_in

) break into a conversation; "her husband always chimes in, even when he is not involved in the conversation" ;

3. (

• break_in ,

) start in a certain activity, enterprise, or role ;

4. (

• break_in

) intrude on uninvited; "The nosy couple broke in on our conversation" ;

5. (

• break_in ,

) break so as to fall inward; "He broke in the door" ;

6. (

• break_in ,
• break ,

) make submissive, obedient, or useful; "The horse was tough to break"; "I broke in the new intern" ;