# trespass

/ˈtɹɛsˌpæs/ (US) · /tɹˈɛspəs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/trespass
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 2. to intrude or take advantage

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to use too much of someone's time or help in an unfair way.

For teachers: to intrude upon or exploit someone's time, hospitality, or patience.

- I don't want to trespass on your hospitality by staying another night.
- The biographer was careful not to trespass on the family's privacy during the sensitive interview process.

Usage: Commonly used with 'on' or 'upon' followed by an abstract noun like 'time', 'privacy', or 'hospitality'.

### 3. to sin

verb · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Literary

to do something morally wrong or to break a religious law.

For teachers: to commit an offence or sin against a moral or religious code.

- The old prayer asks for forgiveness for those who trespass against us.
- In the ancient text, the prophet warns the people not to trespass against the laws of their ancestors.

Teaching tip: Modern learners will mostly encounter this sense in the Lord's Prayer or historical literature.

### 4. illegal entry

noun · CEFR B2

the crime of going onto someone's land without permission.

For teachers: the act of entering someone's property without permission; a common-law tort or crime.

- The sign on the fence warned that trespass would lead to a fine.
- The security firm was hired to prevent trespass and vandalism at the abandoned industrial site.

## Examples

- The sign says you cannot trespass on this land.
- The hikers did not realize they were about to trespass on private property until they saw the fence.
- While the law generally forbids anyone to trespass on private estates, certain historical paths remain open to the public under traditional right-of-way agreements.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.