break
break /ˈbreɪk/
noun
-
(
)
Some abrupt occurrence that interrupts an ongoing activity
(
interruption
, break
)
some abrupt occurrence that interrupts an ongoing activity
The telephone is an annoying interruption
the telephone is an annoying interruption
There was a break in the action when a player was hurt
there was a break in the action when a player was hurt
-
()
An unexpected piece of good luck
(
good luck
, happy chance
, break
)
an unexpected piece of good luck
He finally got his big break
he finally got his big break
-
()
The act of breaking something
(
breakage
, break
, breaking
)
the act of breaking something
The breakage was unavoidable
the breakage was unavoidable
-
()
A pause from doing something (as work)
(
recess
, time out
, break
, respite
)
a pause from doing something (as work)
We took a 10-minute break
we took a 10-minute break
He took time out to recuperate
he took time out to recuperate
-
()
A personal or social separation (as between opposing factions)
(
breach
, falling out
, rift
, break
, rupture
, severance
)
a personal or social separation (as between opposing factions)
They hoped to avoid a break in relations
they hoped to avoid a break in relations
-
()
(geology) a crack in the earth's crust resulting from the displacement of one side with respect to the other
(
fault
, faulting
, fracture
, break
, geological fault
, shift
)
(geology) a crack in the earth's crust resulting from the displacement of one side with respect to the other
They built it right over a geological fault
they built it right over a geological fault
He studied the faulting of the earth's crust
he studied the faulting of the earth's crust
-
An escape from jail
(
break
, breakout
, gaolbreak
, jailbreak
, prison-breaking
, prisonbreak
)
an escape from jail
The breakout was carefully planned
the breakout was carefully planned
-
Any frame in which a bowler fails to make a strike or spare
(
break
, open frame
)
any frame in which a bowler fails to make a strike or spare
The break in the eighth frame cost him the match
the break in the eighth frame cost him the match
-
A sudden dash
(
break
)
a sudden dash
He made a break for the open door
he made a break for the open door
-
An act of delaying or interrupting the continuity
(
break
, gap
, disruption
, interruption
)
an act of delaying or interrupting the continuity
It was presented without commercial breaks
it was presented without commercial breaks
There was a gap in his account
there was a gap in his account
-
(tennis) a score consisting of winning a game when your opponent was serving
(
break
, break of serve
)
(tennis) a score consisting of winning a game when your opponent was serving
He was up two breaks in the second set
he was up two breaks in the second set
-
The opening shot that scatters the balls in billiards or pool
(
break
)
the opening shot that scatters the balls in billiards or pool
-
An abrupt change in the tone or register of the voice (as at puberty or due to emotion)
(
break
)
an abrupt change in the tone or register of the voice (as at puberty or due to emotion)
Then there was a break in her voice
then there was a break in her voice
-
The occurrence of breaking
(
break
)
the occurrence of breaking
The break in the dam threatened the valley
the break in the dam threatened the valley
-
Breaking of hard tissue such as bone
(
break
, fracture
)
breaking of hard tissue such as bone
It was a nasty fracture
it was a nasty fracture
The break seems to have been caused by a fall
the break seems to have been caused by a fall
-
A time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something
(
break
, intermission
, interruption
, pause
, suspension
)
a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something
She took a momentary pause before answering the question.
She took a momentary pause before answering the question.
verb
-
()
Terminate
(
interrupt
, break
)
terminate
She interrupted her pregnancy
She interrupted her pregnancy
Break a lucky streak
break a lucky streak
Break the cycle of poverty
break the cycle of poverty
-
()
Become separated into pieces or fragments
(
come apart
, fall apart
, split up
, break
, separate
)
become separated into pieces or fragments
The figurine broke
The figurine broke
The freshly baked loaf fell apart
The freshly baked loaf fell apart
-
()
Render inoperable or ineffective
(
break
)
render inoperable or ineffective
You broke the alarm clock when you took it apart!
You broke the alarm clock when you took it apart!
-
()
Destroy the integrity of; usually by force; cause to separate into pieces or fragments
(
break
)
destroy the integrity of; usually by force; cause to separate into pieces or fragments
He broke the glass plate
He broke the glass plate
She broke the match
She broke the match
-
()
Ruin completely
(
bust
[Informal] , break
)
ruin completely
He busted my radio!
He busted my radio!
-
()
Act in disregard of laws, rules, contracts, or promises
(
go against
, infract
, offend
, breach
, break
, transgress
, violate
)
act in disregard of laws, rules, contracts, or promises
Offend all laws of humanity
offend all laws of humanity
Violate the basic laws or human civilization
violate the basic laws or human civilization
Break a law
break a law
Break a promise
break a promise
-
()
Prevent completion
(
discontinue
, break off
, break
, stop
)
prevent completion
Stop the project
stop the project
Break off the negotiations
break off the negotiations
-
()
Force out or release suddenly and often violently something pent up
(
erupt
, break
, burst
)
force out or release suddenly and often violently something pent up
Break into tears
break into tears
Erupt in anger
erupt in anger
-
()
Scatter or part
(
break
)
scatter or part
The clouds broke after the heavy downpour
The clouds broke after the heavy downpour
-
()
Move away or escape suddenly
(
break away
, break out
, break
)
move away or escape suddenly
The horses broke from the stable
The horses broke from the stable
Three inmates broke jail
Three inmates broke jail
Nobody can break out--this prison is high security
Nobody can break out--this prison is high security
-
()
Make submissive, obedient, or useful
(
break in
, break
)
make submissive, obedient, or useful
The horse was tough to break
The horse was tough to break
I broke in the new intern
I broke in the new intern
-
()
Enter someone's (virtual or real) property in an unauthorized manner, usually with the intent to steal or commit a violent act
(
break in
, break
)
enter someone's (virtual or real) property in an unauthorized manner, usually with the intent to steal or commit a violent act
Someone broke in while I was on vacation
Someone broke in while I was on vacation
They broke into my car and stole my radio!
They broke into my car and stole my radio!
Who broke into my account last night?
who broke into my account last night?
-
()
Stop operating or functioning
(
conk out
[Informal] , give out
, give way
, break
, die
, go
, go bad
, crap out
[Vulgar] , go phut
[Vulgar] , break down
, fail
)
stop operating or functioning
The engine finally went
The engine finally went
The car died on the road
The car died on the road
The bus we travelled in broke down on the way to town
The bus we travelled in broke down on the way to town
The coffee maker broke
The coffee maker broke
The engine failed on the way to town
The engine failed on the way to town
Her eyesight went after the accident
her eyesight went after the accident
-
()
Come into being
(
break
)
come into being
Light broke over the horizon
light broke over the horizon
Voices broke in the air
Voices broke in the air
-
()
Make known to the public information that was previously known only to a few people or that was meant to be kept a secret
(
bring out
, uncover
, unwrap
, break
, divulge
, give away
, let on
, let out
, lay bare
, disclose
, discover
, expose
, reveal
)
make known to the public information that was previously known only to a few people or that was meant to be kept a secret
The auction house would not disclose the price at which the van Gogh had sold
The auction house would not disclose the price at which the van Gogh had sold
The actress won't reveal how old she is
The actress won't reveal how old she is
Bring out the truth
bring out the truth
He broke the news to her
he broke the news to her
Unwrap the evidence in the murder case
unwrap the evidence in the murder case
The newspaper uncovered the President's illegal dealings
The newspaper uncovered the President's illegal dealings
-
()
Surpass in excellence
(
better
, break
)
surpass in excellence
She bettered her own record
She bettered her own record
Break a record
break a record
-
()
Fail to agree with; be in violation of; as of rules or patterns
(
break
, go against
, violate
)
fail to agree with; be in violation of; as of rules or patterns
This sentence violates the rules of syntax
This sentence violates the rules of syntax
-
()
Be broken in
(
break
)
be broken in
If the new teacher won't break, we'll add some stress
If the new teacher won't break, we'll add some stress
-
()
Lessen in force or effect
(
damp
, dampen
, weaken
, break
, soften
)
lessen in force or effect
Soften a shock
soften a shock
Break a fall
break a fall
-
()
Curl over and fall apart in surf or foam, of waves
(
break
)
curl over and fall apart in surf or foam, of waves
The surf broke
The surf broke
-
()
(military) make a rupture in the ranks of the enemy or one's own by quitting or fleeing
(
break
)
(military) make a rupture in the ranks of the enemy or one's own by quitting or fleeing
The ranks broke
The ranks broke
-
()
Interrupt a continued activity
(
break away
, break
)
interrupt a continued activity
She had broken with the traditional patterns
She had broken with the traditional patterns
-
Weaken or destroy in spirit or body
(
break
)
weaken or destroy in spirit or body
His resistance was broken
His resistance was broken
A man broken by the terrible experience of near-death
a man broken by the terrible experience of near-death
-
Diminish or discontinue abruptly
(
break
)
diminish or discontinue abruptly
The patient's fever broke last night
The patient's fever broke last night
-
Fracture a bone of
(
break
, fracture
)
fracture a bone of
I broke my foot while playing hockey
I broke my foot while playing hockey
-
Fall sharply
(
break
)
fall sharply
Stock prices broke
stock prices broke
-
Crack; of the male voice in puberty
(
break
)
crack; of the male voice in puberty
His voice is breaking--he should no longer sing in the choir
his voice is breaking--he should no longer sing in the choir
-
Become fractured; break or crack on the surface only
(
break
, check
, crack
)
become fractured; break or crack on the surface only
The glass cracked when it was heated
The glass cracked when it was heated
-
Happen
(
break
, develop
, recrudesce
)
happen
Report the news as it develops
Report the news as it develops
These political movements recrudesce from time to time
These political movements recrudesce from time to time
-
Change suddenly from one tone quality or register to another
(
break
)
change suddenly from one tone quality or register to another
Her voice broke to a whisper when she started to talk about her children
Her voice broke to a whisper when she started to talk about her children
-
Find the solution or key to
(
break
)
find the solution or key to
Break the code
break the code
-
Find a flaw in
(
break
)
find a flaw in
Break an alibi
break an alibi
Break down a proof
break down a proof
-
Undergo breaking
(
break
)
undergo breaking
The simple vowels broke in many Germanic languages
The simple vowels broke in many Germanic languages
-
Interrupt the flow of current in
(
break
)
interrupt the flow of current in
Break a circuit
break a circuit
-
Cease an action temporarily
(
break
, intermit
, pause
)
cease an action temporarily
We pause for station identification
We pause for station identification
Let's break for lunch
let's break for lunch
-
Be released or become known; of news
(
break
, get out
, get around
)
be released or become known; of news
News of her death broke in the morning
News of her death broke in the morning
-
Pierce or penetrate
(
break
)
pierce or penetrate
The blade broke her skin
The blade broke her skin
-
Become punctured or penetrated
(
break
)
become punctured or penetrated
The skin broke
The skin broke
-
Break a piece from a whole
(
break
, break off
, snap off
)
break a piece from a whole
Break a branch from a tree
break a branch from a tree
-
Go to pieces
(
break
, bust
[Informal] , fall apart
, wear
, wear out
)
go to pieces
The lawn mower finally broke
The lawn mower finally broke
The gears wore out
The gears wore out
The old chair finally fell apart completely
The old chair finally fell apart completely
-
Separate from a clinch, in boxing
(
break
)
separate from a clinch, in boxing
The referee broke the boxers
The referee broke the boxers
-
(billiards) make the opening shot that scatters the balls
(
break
)
(billiards) make the opening shot that scatters the balls
-
Destroy the completeness of a set of related items
(
break
, break up
)
destroy the completeness of a set of related items
The book dealer would not break the set
The book dealer would not break the set
-
Exchange for smaller units of money
(
break
)
exchange for smaller units of money
I had to break a $100 bill just to buy the candy
I had to break a $100 bill just to buy the candy
-
Do a break dance
(
break
, break dance
, break-dance
)
do a break dance
Kids were break-dancing at the street corner
Kids were break-dancing at the street corner
-
Break down, literally or metaphorically
(
break
, founder
, give
, cave in
, collapse
, fall in
, give way
)
break down, literally or metaphorically
The wall collapsed
The wall collapsed
The business collapsed
The business collapsed
The dam broke
The dam broke
The roof collapsed
The roof collapsed
The wall gave in
The wall gave in
The roof finally gave under the weight of the ice
The roof finally gave under the weight of the ice
-
Emerge from the surface of a body of water
(
break
)
emerge from the surface of a body of water
The whales broke
The whales broke
-
Change directions suddenly
(
break
)
change directions suddenly
-
Reduce to bankruptcy
(
break
, ruin
, smash
, bankrupt
)
reduce to bankruptcy
My daughter's fancy wedding is going to break me!
My daughter's fancy wedding is going to break me!
The slump in the financial markets smashed him
The slump in the financial markets smashed him
-
Assign to a lower position; reduce in rank
(
break
, bump
, kick downstairs
, demote
, relegate
)
assign to a lower position; reduce in rank
She was demoted because she always speaks up
She was demoted because she always speaks up
He was broken down to Sergeant
He was broken down to Sergeant
-
Discontinue an association or relation; go different ways
(
break
, split up
, part
, break up
, separate
, split
)
discontinue an association or relation; go different ways
The business partners broke over a tax question
The business partners broke over a tax question
The couple separated after 25 years of marriage
The couple separated after 25 years of marriage
My friend and I split up
My friend and I split up
-
Invalidate by judicial action
(
break
)
invalidate by judicial action
The will was broken
The will was broken
-
Cause the failure or ruin of
(
break
)
cause the failure or ruin of
His peccadilloes finally broke his marriage
His peccadilloes finally broke his marriage
This play will either make or break the playwright
This play will either make or break the playwright
-
Happen or take place
(
break
)
happen or take place
Things have been breaking pretty well for us in the past few months
Things have been breaking pretty well for us in the past few months
-
Come forth or begin from a state of latency
(
break
)
come forth or begin from a state of latency
The first winter storm broke over New York
The first winter storm broke over New York
-
Give up
(
break
)
give up
Break cigarette smoking
break cigarette smoking
-
Cause to give up a habit
(
break
)
cause to give up a habit
She finally broke herself of smoking cigarettes
She finally broke herself of smoking cigarettes
-
Vary or interrupt a uniformity or continuity
(
break
)
vary or interrupt a uniformity or continuity
The flat plain was broken by tall mesas
The flat plain was broken by tall mesas
-
Come to an end
(
break
)
come to an end
The heat wave finally broke yesterday
The heat wave finally broke yesterday
