breach

breach

I

breach¹ /briːtʃ/ noun1. [uncountable and countable] an action that breaks a law, rule, or agreement
    breach of
    This was a clear breach of the 1994 Trade Agreement.
    They sued the company for breach of contract.
    a breach of professional duty
    be in breach of something
    He was clearly in breach of the law.
2. [countable] a serious disagreement between people, groups, or countries
    breach with
    Britain did not want to risk a breach with the US over sanctions.
    breach between
    What had caused the sudden breach between Henry and his son?
    She wanted to help heal the breach between them.
3. breach of confidence/trust an action in which someone does something that people have trusted them not to do:
    We regard the publication of this information as a serious breach of trust.
4. breach of security an action in which someone manages to learn secret information or manages to get into a place that is guarded:
    There had been a major breach of security at the airbase.
5. breach of the peace British English the crime of making too much noise or fighting in a public place:
    He was arrested and charged with breach of the peace.
6. [countable] a hole made in a wall that is intended to protect a place
    breach in
    a breach in the castle wall
7. step into the breach to help by doing someone else’s job or work when they are unable to do it
   SYN  step in:
    Thanks for stepping into the breach last week.

II

breach² verb [transitive]
1. to break a law, rule, or agreement
   SYN  break:
    The company accused him of breaching his contract.
2. to break a hole in a wall that is intended to protect a place:
    The storm had breached the sea wall in two places.