Main Entry: break up

Function: verb

Date: 15th century

intransitive verb

1 a : to cease to exist as a unified whole : disperse <their partnership broke up> b : to end a romance
2 : to lose morale, composure, or resolution; especially : to become abandoned to laughter <breaks up completely, laughing himself into a coughing fit — Gene Williams>transitive verb 1 : to break into pieces
2 : to bring to an end <broke up the fight>
3 : to do away with : destroy <break up a monopoly>
4 : to disrupt the continuity or flow of <break up a dull routine>
5 : decompose <break up a chemical>
6 : to cause to laugh heartily