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 break break /ˈbreɪk/

noun

  1. () 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
  2. () 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
  3. () The act of breaking something  ( breakage , break , breaking )
    the act of breaking something
     The breakage was unavoidable
    the breakage was unavoidable
  4. () 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
  5. () 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
  6. () (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
  7. 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
  8. 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
  9. A sudden dash  ( break )
    a sudden dash
     He made a break for the open door
    he made a break for the open door
  10. 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
  11. (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
  12. The opening shot that scatters the balls in billiards or pool  ( break )
    the opening shot that scatters the balls in billiards or pool
  13. 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
  14. 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
  15. 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
  16. 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

  1. () 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
  2. () 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
  3. () 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!
  4. () 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
  5. () Ruin completely  ( bust [Informal] , break )
    ruin completely
     He busted my radio!
    He busted my radio!
  6. () 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
  7. () Prevent completion  ( discontinue , break off , break , stop )
    prevent completion
     Stop the project
    stop the project
     Break off the negotiations
    break off the negotiations
  8. () 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
  9. () Scatter or part  ( break )
    scatter or part
     The clouds broke after the heavy downpour
    The clouds broke after the heavy downpour
  10. () 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
  11. () 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
  12. () 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?
  13. () 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
  14. () 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
  15. () 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
  16. () Surpass in excellence  ( better , break )
    surpass in excellence
     She bettered her own record
    She bettered her own record
     Break a record
    break a record
  17. () 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
  18. () 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
  19. () 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
  20. () 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
  21. () (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
  22. () 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
  23. 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
  24. Diminish or discontinue abruptly  ( break )
    diminish or discontinue abruptly
     The patient's fever broke last night
    The patient's fever broke last night
  25. Fracture a bone of  ( break , fracture )
    fracture a bone of
     I broke my foot while playing hockey
    I broke my foot while playing hockey
  26. Fall sharply  ( break )
    fall sharply
     Stock prices broke
    stock prices broke
  27. 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
  28. 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
  29. 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
  30. 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
  31. Find the solution or key to  ( break )
    find the solution or key to
     Break the code
    break the code
  32. Find a flaw in  ( break )
    find a flaw in
     Break an alibi
    break an alibi
     Break down a proof
    break down a proof
  33. Undergo breaking  ( break )
    undergo breaking
     The simple vowels broke in many Germanic languages
    The simple vowels broke in many Germanic languages
  34. Interrupt the flow of current in  ( break )
    interrupt the flow of current in
     Break a circuit
    break a circuit
  35. 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
  36. 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
  37. Pierce or penetrate  ( break )
    pierce or penetrate
     The blade broke her skin
    The blade broke her skin
  38. Become punctured or penetrated  ( break )
    become punctured or penetrated
     The skin broke
    The skin broke
  39. 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
  40. 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
  41. Separate from a clinch, in boxing  ( break )
    separate from a clinch, in boxing
     The referee broke the boxers
    The referee broke the boxers
  42. (billiards) make the opening shot that scatters the balls  ( break )
    (billiards) make the opening shot that scatters the balls
  43. 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
  44. 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
  45. 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
  46. 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
  47. 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
  48. Change directions suddenly  ( break )
    change directions suddenly
  49. 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
  50. 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
  51. 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
  52. Invalidate by judicial action  ( break )
    invalidate by judicial action
     The will was broken
    The will was broken
  53. 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
  54. 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
  55. 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
  56. Give up  ( break )
    give up
     Break cigarette smoking
    break cigarette smoking
  57. 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
  58. 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
  59. Come to an end  ( break )
    come to an end
     The heat wave finally broke yesterday
    The heat wave finally broke yesterday