(~es, ~ing, ~ed)
1.
If you ~ an agreement, a law, or a promise, you break it.
The newspaper ~ed the code of conduct on privacy...
= violate
VERB: V n
2.
A ~ of an agreement, a law, or a promise is an act of breaking it.
The congressman was accused of a ~ of secrecy rules.
...a $1 billion ~ of contract suit.
= violation
N-VAR
3.
A ~ in a relationship is a serious disagreement which often results in the relationship ending. (FORMAL)
Their actions threatened a serious ~ in relations between the two countries.
...the ~ between Tito and Stalin.
= rift, rupture
N-COUNT: usu N in/between n
4.
If someone or something ~es a barrier, they make an opening in it, usually leaving it weakened or destroyed. (FORMAL)
Fire may have ~ed the cargo tanks and set the oil ablaze.
= rupture
VERB: V n
5.
If you ~ someone’s security or their defences, you manage to get through and attack an area that is heavily guarded and protected.
The bomber had ~ed security by hurling his dynamite from a roof overlooking the building.
VERB: V n
•
Breach is also a noun.
...widespread ~es of security at Ministry of Defence bases.
N-COUNT
6.
If you step into the ~, you do a job or task which someone else was supposed to do or has done in the past, because they are suddenly unable to do it.
I was persuaded to step into the ~ temporarily when they became too ill to continue.
PHRASE: V inflects