1
a
: to separate into parts with suddenness or violence
broke a plate
Break the chocolate bar in half.
b(1)
: to cause (a bone) to separate into two or more pieces : fracture
broke her femur
(2)
: to fracture a bone of (a bodily part)
the blow broke her arm
(3)
: to dislocate or dislocate and fracture a bone of (the neck or back)
c
: to cause an open wound in : 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
breaking conventions
b
law
: to invalidate (a will) by action under the provisions of the 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
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
breaking a bad habit
decided to break off all ties to the organization
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
could see 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
Break the grammar lesson into digestible chunks.
break a word at the end of a line
b(1)
: to give or get the equivalent of (a bill) in smaller denominations
Can you break a fifty?
(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 or slow the speed, force, or intensity of
The bushes broke 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
firearms
: 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
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
The fish were breaking.
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
boxing
: to separate after an instance of holding an opponent at close quarters : to separate after a clinch
The ref told them to break.
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 (see fair entry 1 sense 3) : clear
when the weather breaks
6
billiards
: to make the opening shot of a game of pool
7
: to end a relationship, connection, or agreement
—usually used with with or from
break with tradition
broke with the leadership
8
: to give way in disorderly retreat
if the front line breaks
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
of a horse
: to fail to keep a prescribed gait
12
: to undergo a sudden significant decrease in price, value, or volume
transportation stocks may break sharply
14
tennis
: to win against an opponent's serve
15
a
: to divide into classes, categories, or types
b
: to fold, bend, lift, or come apart at a seam, groove, or joint
The seam on her dress broke.
c
of cream
: to separate during churning into liquid and fat
1
a
: an act or action of breaking
b
billiards
: the opening shot in a game of pool or billiards
2
3
: the action or act of entering, escaping, or emerging from something (such as darkness) often in a sudden or violent way : the action or act of breaking in, breaking out, or breaking forth
at break of day
a jail break
4
: a place or situation at which a break occurs: such as
a
: the place at which a word is divided especially at the end of a line of print or writing
b
: the location at which waves curl over and fall apart in surf or foam : the point at which waves break (see break entry 1 sense 2c) for surfing
c
: separation of composed matter at an indicated point
also
: the separation between a preview of a website or a particular post on a website and the full content
reading the rest of the article after the break
5
: an interruption in continuity
a break in the weather
: such as
a
: a notable change of subject matter, attitude, or treatment
the break after the eighth line of a sonnet
b(1)
: an abrupt, significant, or noteworthy change or interruption in a continuous process, trend, or surface
dislikes breaks in his daily routine
a break in her dancing career
fields that extend for miles without a break
(2)
: a respite from work, school, or duty
take a short coffee break
college kids on 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
baseball
: deviation of a pitched ball from a straight line
d
mining
: fault, dislocation
e
horseback riding
: failure of a horse to maintain the prescribed gait
f(1)
: an abrupt change in musical or vocal pitch or quality
especially
: the point between two distinctive musical registers of a voice or a wind instrument
(2)
: a sudden change in vocal pitch, intensity, or tone
speaking passionately, with a break in her voice
(3)
: a quick shift from one rhythmic track to another in the same tempo and key on a different turntable
g
tennis
: the action or an instance of winning against an opponent's service : the action or an instance of breaking (see break entry 1 sense 13c) service
a service break
h
music
: a usually solo instrumental passage in jazz, folk, or popular music
6
b
sports
: fast break
a break toward the basket
7
: a sudden and abrupt decline of prices or values
8
a
: the start of a race
b
boxing
: the act of separating after an instance of holding an opponent at close quarters : the act of separating after a clinch
9
a
: a stroke of luck and especially of good luck
got a lucky break
can't seem to catch a break
a series of bad 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 sense 1c
suffered a mental break
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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