What does "trespass" mean?
An intentional interference with another's property or person.
Trespass
/ˈtɹɛspæs/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: An intentional interference with another's property or person.
- Grammar: trespass is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: encroachment, intrusion, violation, accroach.
- Useful contrasts: allow, authorization, compliance.
- Usage evidence: It was foolish of him to trespass against the law.
How to use "trespass"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "trespass" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "trespass" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "trespass" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "trespass" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "trespass" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "encroachment" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "trespass", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 An intentional interference with another's property or person. countable, uncountable
"External infrastructure issues such as severe weather and trespass caused 17.1% of [train] cancellations, [...]."
- 2 entry to another's property without right or permission wordnet
- 3 sin archaic, countable, uncountable
"Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us"
- 4 a wrongful interference with the possession of property (personal property as well as realty), or the action instituted to recover damages wordnet
Verb
- 1 To commit an offence; to sin. archaic, intransitive
"In the time of his distress did he trespass yet more against the Lord."
- 2 pass beyond (limits or boundaries) wordnet
- 3 To offend against, to wrong (someone). obsolete, transitive
"And forgeve us oure trespases, even as we forgeve them which trespas us."
- 4 commit a sin; violate a law of God or a moral law wordnet
- 5 To go too far; to put someone to inconvenience by demand or importunity; to intrude. intransitive
"to trespass upon the time or patience of another"
Show 6 more definitions
- 6 break the law wordnet
- 7 To enter someone else's property illegally.
- 8 make excessive use of wordnet
- 9 To pass beyond a limit or boundary; hence, to depart; to go. obsolete
"1523–1525, Jean Froissart, John Bourchier, 2nd Baron Berners (translator), Froissart's Chronicles Soon after this, noble Robert de Bruce […] trespassed out of this uncertain world."
- 10 enter unlawfully on someone's property wordnet
- 11 To subject [someone] to a trespass notice, formally notifying them that they are prohibited from entry to a property, such that any current or future presence there will constitute trespass, (especially) criminal trespass New-Zealand, especially, transitive
"The dean trespassed the streaker from his university."
Antonyms
Example
"It was foolish of him to trespass against the law."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "trespass"?
Common synonyms include: encroachment, intrusion, violation, accroach, adopt, adoption.
How do you use "trespass" in a sentence?
It was foolish of him to trespass against the law.
How do you pronounce "trespass"?
Pronounced /ˈtɹɛspæs/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
Borrowed into Middle English trespas, from Old French trespas (“passage; offense against the law”), from trespasser.
Etymology 2
From Middle English trespassen, borrowed from Old French trespasser (“to go across or over, transgress”), from tres- (“across, over”) + passer (“to pass”).