breach

 
Pronunciation: /briːtʃ/

noun

  • 1an act of breaking or failing to observe a law, agreement, or code of conduct: a breach of confidence [mass noun]: I sued for breach of contract
  • a break in relations: a widening breach between government and Church
  • 2a gap in a wall, barrier, or defence, especially one made by an attacking army: a breach in the mountain wall

verb

[with object]
  • 1make a gap in and break through (a wall, barrier, or defence): the river breached its bank
  • break or fail to observe (a law, agreement, or code of conduct): these outside bodies are bootlegging albums and breaching copyright
  • 2 [no object] (of a whale) rise and break through the surface of the water: we saw whales breaching in the distance

Phrases

breach of the peace

British public disturbance, or an act considered likely to cause one: a man was convicted of causing a breach of the peace during the demonstration

breach of promise

the action of breaking a sworn assurance to do something, formerly especially to marry someone: Anastasia cherishes the recollection of having won an action for breach of promise

step into the breach

replace someone who is suddenly unable to do a job or task: I can’t think of anyone who could step into the breach should I become ill

Origin:

Middle English: from Old French breche, ultimately of Germanic origin; related to break1

Do not confuse breach with breech. Breach means 'break an agreement or rule' ( they breached the Data Protection Act), 'break through something', or 'a gap', whereas breech means 'the back part of a gun barrel'.