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 verb1 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 law3 aarchaic : 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 down11 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 processes12: 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 verb1 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> cof a wave : to curl over and fall apart in surf or foam3: 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 pool7: to end a relationship, connection, or agreement —usually used with with or from8: to give way in disorderly retreat9 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 horse12: 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 tennis15 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 cof 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 construction2or 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 beginning2: to get through the first difficulties in starting a conversation or discussion

— break wind

: to expel gas from the intestine