Main Entry: ¹break

Pronunciation: \ˈbrāk\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): broke \ˈbrōk\; bro·ken \ˈbrō-kən\; break·ing

Etymology: Middle English breken, from Old English brecan; akin to Old High German brehhan to break, Latin frangere

Date: before 12th century

transitive verb 1 a : to separate into parts with suddenness or violence b : fracture <break an arm> c : rupture <break the skin> d : to cut into and turn over the surface of <break the soil> e : to render inoperable <broke his watch>
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 a : exceed, surpass <break the record> b : to score less than (a specified total) <a golfer trying to break 90> c : to win against (an opponent's service) in tennis d : to make (a run) in football by getting past defenders <broke a 20-yard run>
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 a : to come apart or split into pieces : fragment, shatter <the cup broke when it fell> b : to open spontaneously or by pressure from within <the blister broke> c of a wave : to curl over and fall apart in surf or foam
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>
13 : happen, develop <for the team to succeed, everything has to break right>
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
2or 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