Have you ever written “the contract was breeched” and paused, unsure if it was correct? You’re not alone. Breeched or breached is a common mistake, especially in legal, security, and formal writing.
Both words look and sound similar, but their meanings are very different. Using the wrong one can change a sentence’s meaning and hurt your credibility, particularly in contracts, law, and data security.
This guide clears the confusion quickly. You’ll get the correct answer, meanings, grammar rules, British vs American usage, real-life examples, legal and technical contexts, Google trends insight, and FAQs, so you’ll confidently know when to use breached and when breeched is correct.
Quick Answer
Breached means broken, violated, or failed to observe a rule or agreement.
Breeched relates to breech, mainly used in medical (childbirth) or historical/technical contexts.
Examples:
- ✔ The company breached the contract.
- ✔ The baby was delivered breeched.
👉 Simple rule:
- Rules, laws, contracts → breached
- Birth position or technical parts → breeched
The Meaning of Breeched or Breached
Breached – Meaning
- Past tense of breach
- Means to break, violate, or fail to follow
- Common in legal, security, and formal writing
Example:
The agreement was breached.
Breeched – Meaning
- Past tense of breech
- Refers to childbirth position, firearms, or historical clothing
- Rare in everyday writing
Example:
The child was born breeched.
The Origin of Breeched or Breached
Breach comes from Old French breche, meaning “a break or gap.” Over time, it became associated with breaking rules, laws, or agreements.
Breech originally referred to the backside or lower body. Later, it gained medical meaning in childbirth (breech birth) and technical meaning in firearms (gun breech).
Because both words share similar spelling and pronunciation, confusion is common.
British English vs American English Spelling
There is no spelling difference between British and American English.
| Word | British English | American English |
|---|---|---|
| breached | ✔ Correct | ✔ Correct |
| breeched | ✔ Correct | ✔ Correct |
The difference is meaning, not region.
Which Spelling Should You Use?
Use breached when writing about:
- Contracts and agreements
- Security and data protection
- Confidentiality and policies
Use breeched only when referring to:
- Breech birth
- Firearms (gun breech)
- Rare historical contexts
For most writers, breached is the correct choice 90% of the time.
Common Mistakes with Breeched or Breached
❌ The company breeched the contract.
✔ The company breached the contract.
❌ A data breech exposed information.
✔ A data breach exposed information.
Mistakes usually happen because writers assume the words are interchangeable—they are not.
Breeched or Breached in Everyday Examples
Emails
- The policy was breached last week.
News
- Millions affected after a major security breach.
Formal Writing
- The confidentiality agreement was breached.
Medical Context
- The baby was delivered breeched.
Legal & Technical Contexts Explained
Breech or Breach of Contract
✔ Correct: breach of contract
❌ Incorrect: breech of contract
Security Breach or Breech
✔ Correct: security breach
❌ Incorrect: security breech
Breech or Breach of Confidentiality
✔ Correct: breach of confidentiality
Step Into the Breach or Breech
✔ Correct phrase: step into the breach
(Meaning: take responsibility in a crisis)
Gun Breech or Breach
✔ Correct: gun breech
(Refers to the rear part of a firearm)
Breached or Breeched – Comparison Table
| Feature | Breached | Breeched |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Broken or violated | Birth/technical term |
| Common usage | Legal, security | Medical, firearms |
| Seen in news | ✔ Yes | ❌ Rare |
| Easy rule | Rules broken | Body/technical part |
Breeched vs Breached – Google Trends & Usage Data
Search trends show:
- “breach of contract” dominates legal searches
- “security breach” spikes after cyber incidents
- “breeched” searches mostly relate to childbirth
This confirms strong educational and professional intent.
Related Words & Synonyms
Breached – Synonyms
- violated
- broken
- infringed
Breeched – Related Terms
- breech birth
- breech presentation
- gun breech
FAQs
What does breached mean?
It means broken or violated.
What does breeched mean?
It relates to breech birth or technical contexts.
Is breeched ever used in law?
No. Legal writing uses breached.
Is “security breech” correct?
No. The correct term is security breach.
Which word is more common?
Breached is far more common.
How do I remember the difference?
Think: rules are breached; bodies and parts are breeched.
Conclusion
The confusion between breeched or breached comes from similar spelling, but their meanings are very different.
Breached is used when something is broken—rules, contracts, laws, or security systems. Breeched, on the other hand, belongs mainly to medical or technical contexts.
Using the correct word improves clarity, professionalism, and trust, especially in legal or formal writing.
Remember this simple rule: if it involves rules or agreements, choose breached. With this guide, you can now write confidently and accurately every time.
Related Posts:
Spicey or Spicy: How to Spell It Right Every Time in 2026
Shiney or Shiny: Stop Making This Spelling Mistake in 2026
Summery or Summary: The Difference Explained with Examples for 2026
Bryan A. Garner is a renowned grammar expert, lexicographer, and author at Grammiffy, where he makes English rules easy to understand for learners and writers of all levels.
With a focus on clarity, proper usage, and effective communication, Bryan helps readers master grammar, style, and everyday writing with confidence.
