Etymology Map
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Breach

3 stages from Frankish to English.

Today it means a gap; a breaking of a rule

Where does the word "breach" come from? It comes from Frankish brekan, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
brekan
Frankish · ancient
"to break"
a Germanic word related to English 'break'
2
Stage 2 of 3
breche
Old French · medieval
"breach"
a gap broken in a wall
3
Stage 3 of 3
breach
English · 1300s
"a break"
'breach of contract' dates from the 1500s
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Read the full story

Breach’s story begins in Frankish: brekan meant “to break.” A Germanic word related to English 'break'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as breche. A gap broken in a wall. It reached English by 1300s as breach. 'breach of contract' dates from the 1500s. Today, breach means a gap; a breaking of a rule.