Breach

the act or a result of breaking; break or rupture.
an infraction or violation, as of a law, trust, faith, or promise.
a gap made in a wall, fortification, line of soldiers, etc.; rift; fissure.
a severance of friendly relations.
the leap of a whale above the surface of the water.
Archaic. the breaking of waves; the dashing of surf.
Obsolete, wound1 .
to make a breach or opening in.
to break or act contrary to (a law, promise, etc.).
(of a whale) to leap partly or completely out of the water, head first, and land on the back or belly with a resounding splash.
Contemporary Examples

Drowning in Beeps Nicholas Carr February 28, 2011
The Case For Cutting Off Aid to Egypt Ali Gharib July 10, 2013
Class Issues, Not Race, Will Likely Seal the Next Election Joel Kotkin September 6, 2014
America’s Lost Decade in Iraq: A Marine Officer Looks Back Benjamin Busch March 18, 2013
The Bully Waging War Against Bullies Lizzie Crocker October 9, 2013

Historical Examples

Atlantis Gerhart Hauptmann
The Conquest of Fear Basil King
The Day of the Beast Zane Grey
K Mary Roberts Rinehart
The Rise of the Mediaeval Church Alexander Clarence Flick

noun
a crack, break, or rupture
a breaking, infringement, or violation of a promise, obligation, etc
any severance or separation: there was a breach between the two factions of the party
a gap in an enemy’s fortifications or line of defence created by bombardment or attack
the act of a whale in breaking clear of the water
the breaking of sea waves on a shore or rock
an obsolete word for wound1
verb
(transitive) to break through or make an opening, hole, or incursion in
(transitive) to break a promise, law, etc
(intransitive) (of a whale) to break clear of the water
n.
v.