1
- an act of breaking or failing to observe a law, agreement, or code of conduct违反, 违背; 破坏; 不履行：
a breach of confidence
辜负（某人的）信任
mass noun I sued for breach of contract.我控告对方违反合同。
1.1
- a break in relations（关系的）破裂, 决裂; 裂痕：
a widening breach between government and Church.
政府与教会之间越来越大的裂痕。
2
- a gap in (a wall, barrier, or defence), especially one made by an attacking army（尤指墙、栅栏或防御工事被进攻的军队突破的）缺口。
with obj.
1
- make a gap in and break through (a wall, barrier, or defence)突破; 撕裂; 在…造成缺口：
the river breached its bank.
河水冲出了河岸。
1.1
- break or fail to observe (a law, agreement, or code of conduct)违反; 破坏（法律, 协议, 行为准则）。
2
- no obj.(of a whale) rise and break through the surface of the water（鲸）跃出水面。
短语
breach of the peace
- an act of violent or noisy behaviour that causes a public disturbance and is considered a criminal offence扰乱治安。
breach of promise
- the action of breaking a sworn assurance to do something, formerly especially marry someone失信, 违背诺言。
step into the breach
- replace someone who is suddenly unable to do a job or task在紧要关头挺身替补。
词源
Middle English: from Old French breche， ultimately of Germanic origin; related to BREAK1.