home invasion
Noun: - A specific type of burglary: The crime of illegally entering a private residence while the occupants are present, typically involving confrontation, violence, or the threat of violence.
The term "home invasion" is used to describe a particularly serious and terrifying category of burglary. It emphasizes the violation of personal safety within one's own dwelling. It is a legal and law enforcement term, as well as a common term in news reporting. - It is typically used as a countable noun. - It describes the criminal act itself, not the person committing it (who is a "home invader").
- The couple was traumatized after surviving a violent home invasion.
- Police are investigating a string of home invasions in the suburban neighborhood.
- The new law imposes stricter penalties for home invasion.
- The phrase highlights the aggravating factor of the residents' presence, which distinguishes it from a standard burglary of an unoccupied home. The confrontation element is key to the definition.
- Home invader (noun): A person who commits a home invasion.
- Invasion (noun): A broader term meaning any unwelcome intrusion.
- Burglary (noun): The general crime of illegally entering a building to commit a theft or other felony; "home invasion" is a specific, aggravated form of burglary.
- Aggravated burglary (legal term in some jurisdictions)
- Residential burglary with occupants present (descriptive phrase)
While the core definition involves burglary (intent to commit a crime, often theft), the term "home invasion" in common usage can sometimes extend to other violent crimes like robbery, assault, or hostage-taking that begin with the illegal entry of an occupied home. The primary focus is on the invasion of the occupied dwelling itself.
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burglary of a dwelling while the residents are at home