First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1break
verb \ˈbrāk\
: to separate (something) into parts or pieces often in a sudden and forceful or violent way
: to cause (a bone) to separate into two or more pieces
: to open suddenly especially because of pressure from inside
broke \ˈbrōk\ bro·ken \ˈbrō-kən\ break·ing
Full Definition of BREAK
transitive verb
1
2
a : violate, transgress <break the law> <break a promise> b : to invalidate (a will) by action at law
3
a archaic : to force entry into b : to burst and force a way through <break the sound barrier> <break a racial barrier> c : to escape by force from <break jail> d : to make or effect by cutting, forcing, or pressing through <break a trail through the woods>
4
: to disrupt the order or compactness of <break formation>
5
: to make ineffective as a binding force <break the spell>
6
a : to defeat utterly and end as an effective force : destroy <used starvation to break the enemy> b : to crush the spirit of <brutal methods broke the prisoner> c : to make tractable or submissive: as (1) past participle often broke : to train (an animal) to adjust to the service or convenience of humans <a halter-broke horse> (2) : inure, accustom d : to exhaust in health, strength, or capacity <broken by his struggle for power>
7
a : to stop or bring to an end suddenly : halt <break a deadlock> b : interrupt, suspend <break the silence with a cry> c : to open and bring about suspension of operation <break an electric circuit> d : to destroy unity or completeness of <break a dining room set by buying a chair> e : to change the appearance of uniformity of <a dormer breaks the level roof> f : to split the surface of <fish breaking water> g : to cause to discontinue a habit <tried to break him of smoking>
8
a : to make known : tell <break the bad news gently> b : to bring to attention or prominence initially <radio stations breaking new musicians> <break a news story>
9
a : to ruin financially <break the bank> b : to reduce in rank <broken from sergeant to private>
10
a : to split into smaller units, parts, or processes : divide b (1) : to give or get the equivalent of (a bill) in smaller denominations (2) : to use as the denomination in paying a bill <didn't want to break a $20 bill> —often used with into, up, or down
11
a : to check the speed, force, or intensity of <the bushes will break his fall> <without breaking her stride> b : to cause failure and discontinuance of (a strike) by measures outside bargaining processes
12
: to cause a sudden significant decrease in the price, value, or volume of <news likely to break the market sharply>
13
14
: to open the action of (a breechloader)
15
a : to find an explanation or solution for : solve <the detective broke the case> b : to discover the essentials of (a code or cipher system)
16
: to demonstrate the falsity of <break an alibi>
17
: to ruin the prospects of <could make or break her career>
18
: to produce visibly <barely breaks a sweat>
intransitive verb
1
a : to escape with sudden forceful effort <the attacker broke from the throng> b : to come into being by or as if by bursting forth <day was breaking> c : to effect a penetration <break through security lines> d : to emerge through the surface of the water e : to start abruptly <when the storm broke> f : to become known or published <when the news broke> g : to make a sudden dash <break for cover> h : to separate after a clinch in boxing i : to achieve initial success in usually a sudden or striking way <her song broke nationally> j : to begin a race <the horse broke poorly>
2
3
: to interrupt one's activity or occupation for a brief period <break for lunch>
4
: to alter sharply in tone, pitch, or intensity <a voice breaking with emotion>
5
: to become fair : clear <when the weather breaks>
6
: to make the opening shot of a game of pool
7
: to end a relationship, connection, or agreement —usually used with with or from
8
: to give way in disorderly retreat
9
a : to swerve suddenly b : to curve from a straight path <a pitch that breaks away from the batter> <a putt that breaks left>
10
a : to fail in health, strength, vitality, resolve, or control <may break under questioning> b : to become inoperative because of damage, wear, or strain <the pump broke>
11
: to fail to keep a prescribed gait —used of a horse
12
: to undergo a sudden significant decrease in price, value, or volume <transportation stocks may break sharply>
14
: to win against an opponent's service in tennis
15
a : to divide into classes, categories, or types —usually used with into <the rose is broken into several varieties> b : to fold, bend, lift, or come apart at a seam, groove, or joint c of cream : to separate during churning into liquid and fat
— break a leg
—used to wish good luck especially to a performer
— break bread
: to dine together
— break camp
: to pack up gear and leave a camp or campsite
— break cover also break covert
: to start from a covert or lair
— break even
: to achieve a balance; especially : to operate a business or enterprise without either loss or profit
— break free
: to get away by overcoming restraints or constraints
— break ground
1
: to begin construction
2
or break new ground : to make or show discoveries : pioneer
— break into
1
: to begin with or as if with a sudden throwing off of restraint <broke into tears> <face breaking into a smile> <the horse breaks into a gallop>
2
: to make entry or entrance into <broke into the house> <break into show business>
3
: interrupt <break into a TV program with a news flash>
— break one's heart
: to crush emotionally with sorrow
— break one's wrists
: to turn the wrists as part of the swing of a club or bat
— break ranks also break rank
: to differ in opinion or action from one's peers —often used with with
— break the back of
: to subdue the main force of <break the back of inflation>
— break the ice
1
: to make a beginning
2
: to get through the first difficulties in starting a conversation or discussion
— break wind
: to expel gas from the intestine
See break defined for English-language learners
See break defined for kids
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Origin of BREAK
Middle English breken, from Old English brecan; akin to Old High German brehhan to break, Latin frangere
Related to BREAK
2break
noun
: a crack, hole, etc., that is caused by damage, injury, or pressure
: an opening or space in something : an opening that makes it possible for someone or something to enter or pass through something
: something that causes a change or interruption
Full Definition of BREAK
1
a : an act or action of breaking b : the opening shot in a game of pool or billiards
2
a : a condition produced by or as if by breaking : gap <a break in the clouds> b : a gap in an otherwise continuous electric circuit
3
: the action or act of breaking in, out, or forth <at break of day> <a jail break>
4
: a place or situation at which a break occurs: as a : the place at which a word is divided especially at the end of a line of print or writing b : the point or location at which waves break for surfing
5
: an interruption in continuity <a break in the weather>: as a : a notable change of subject matter, attitude, or treatment b (1) : an abrupt, significant, or noteworthy change or interruption in a continuous process, trend, or surface (2) : a respite from work, school, or duty <coffee break> <spring break> (3) : relief from annoyance —often used to express exasperation or irritation in phrases like give me a break (4) : a planned interruption in a radio or television program <a break for the commercial> c : deviation of a pitched baseball from a straight line d mining : fault, dislocation e : failure of a horse to maintain the prescribed gait f : an abrupt change in musical or vocal pitch or quality g : the action or an instance of breaking service in tennis h : a usually solo instrumental passage in jazz, folk, or popular music
6
a : dash, rush <a base runner making a break for home> b : fast break
7
: a sudden and abrupt decline of prices or values
8
a : the start of a race b : the act of separating after a clinch in boxing
9
a : a stroke of luck and especially of good luck <a bad break> <got the breaks> b : a favorable or opportune situation : chance <waiting for a big break in show business> c : favorable consideration or treatment <a tax break> <a break on the price>
10
a : a rupture in previously agreeable relations <a break between the two countries> b : an abrupt split or difference with something previously adhered to or followed <a sharp break with tradition>
11
: breakdown 1c <suffered a mental break>
See break defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of BREAK
14th century
BREAK Defined for Kids
1break
verb \ˈbrāk\
broke \ˈbrōk\bro·ken \ˈbrō-kən\break·ing
Definition of BREAK for Kids
1
: to separate into parts especially suddenly or forcibly <break a stick> <break into groups>
2
: to cause (a bone) to separate into two or more pieces
3
: to stop working or cause to stop working because of damage or wear <I broke my watch.>
4
: to fail to keep <broke the law> <break a promise>
5
: to force a way <They broke out of jail.>
6
: to cut into and turn over <break the soil>
7
: to go through : penetrate <break the skin> <… she broke through the surface of the water … — Kevin Henkes, Olive's Ocean>
8
: 2tame <break a wild horse>
9
: to do better than <broke the school record>
10
: to interrupt or put an end to : stop <A shout broke the silence.> <Let's break for lunch.>
11
: to reduce the force of <break a fall>
12
: to develop or burst out suddenly <Day is breaking.> <They broke into laughter.>
13
: to make known <broke the news>
14
: solve <break a code>
15
: 1change 4 <break a ten-dollar bill>
16
: to run or flee suddenly <break for cover>
— break down
1
: to stop working properly <The car broke down.>
2
: to separate or become separated into simpler substances : decompose
3
: to be overcome by emotion <broke down in tears>
4
: to knock down <break down a door>
— break out
1
: to develop a skin rash
2
: to start up suddenly <A fight broke out.>
— break up
1
: to separate into parts <The meteor broke up in the earth's atmosphere.>
2
: to bring or come to an end <The party broke up late.>
3
: to end a romantic relationship
2break
noun
Definition of BREAK for Kids
1
: an act of breaking <at break of day>
2
: something produced by breaking <a bad break in the leg>
3
: a period of time when an activity stops <Let's take a break.>
4
: an accidental event <a lucky break>
Learn More About BREAK
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