broach

1 of 3

noun

ˈbrōch 

1

: brooch

wore a lovely broach on her lapel

2

: any of various pointed or tapered tools, implements, or parts: such as

a

: a spit for roasting meat

b

: a tool for tapping casks

c

: a cutting tool for removing material from metal or plastic to shape an outside surface or a hole

broach

2 of 3

verb (1)

broached; broaching; broaches

transitive verb

1

a

: to pierce (something, such as a cask) in order to draw the contents

also : to open for the first time

b

: to open up or break into (a mine, stores, etc.)

2

: to shape or enlarge (a hole) with a broach (see broach entry 1 sense 2c)

3

a

: to make known for the first time

b

: to open up (a subject) for discussion

a good time to broach the subject

intransitive verb

: to break the surface from below

the whale broached

broacher noun

broach

3 of 3

verb (2)

broached; broaching; broaches

intransitive verb

nautical : to veer or yaw dangerously so as to lie broadside to the waves

—often used with to

Our ship broached to.

Synonyms

Verb (1)

• break
• surface

Choose the Right Synonym for broach

express, vent, utter, voice, broach, air mean to make known what one thinks or feels.

express suggests an impulse to reveal in words, gestures, actions, or what one creates or produces.

expressed her feelings in music

vent stresses a strong inner compulsion to express especially in words.

a tirade venting his frustration

utter implies the use of the voice not necessarily in articulate speech.

utter a groan

voice does not necessarily imply vocal utterance but does imply expression or formulation in words.

an editorial voicing their concerns

broach adds the implication of disclosing for the first time something long thought over or reserved for a suitable occasion.

broached the subject of a divorce

air implies an exposing or parading of one's views often in order to gain relief or sympathy or attention.

publicly airing their differences

Examples of broach in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

See what was found inside The metal detectorists discovered four brooches, some buckles, a tubular pendant, a bronze bead, a ring and fragments of more broaches, the association said. —Moira Ritter, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2024

The Oscars red carpet pre-show — that consisted of a black suit jacket and black trousers with an eye-catching silver broach. —Julia Moore, Peoplemag, 10 Mar. 2024

Even actors known for colorful suiting like Colman Domingo and Ryan Gosling, who arrived in Louis Vuitton and Gucci, respectively, stuck to a largely black palette, though many accessorized with broaches, bracelets and pins. —CNN, 10 Mar. 2024

As Parker tells Live Science’s Tom Metcalfe, the group was performing a two-week search for artifacts in a field where metal detectorists had previously discovered Roman coins and broaches. —Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Jan. 2024

In addition, there are several necklace or earring latches as well as a slip pocket and sections for bracelets or broaches. —Anna Popp, Travel + Leisure, 28 Aug. 2023

Choose your own embellishment with a cute pin or a broach. —Nneya Richards, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 2023

In the short clip, Lopez is dressed in a gown with a red plunging neckline and black skirt tied together with a large green ribbon broach at her waist. —Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 2 Jan. 2023

Wearing a black suit, black sunglasses, leather gloves and a cream tie paired with a glimmering tie knot broach, Usher embraced the theme. —USA TODAY, 2 May 2023

Verb

Then, says Garvey, Nicole broached the subject of Simpson’s violence. —Susan Schindehette, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2024

On the rare occasions that leaders would broach the topic, the responses of my colleagues mostly ranged from unease to disdain. —Bymaria Flynn, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2024

Failing to broach that topic further would be a mistake, some negotiators said. —Zachary Schermele, USA TODAY, 25 Jan. 2024

While questioning Lee on Wednesday, Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D) broached ignoring his requirement to replenish the city’s local fiscal stabilization fund, which functions like a rainy-day fund, to save the teachers’ salary money. —Meagan Flynn, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2024

The interview reportedly broached the subject of Elon Musk’s ketamine use, SpaceX, free speech, and the presidential election. —Maxwell Zeff / Gizmodo, Quartz, 13 Mar. 2024

But Yeung has a lot of other social statements to broach in his careful, polite way, and so, soon after, Angie is fussing in the kitchen and calls out a question to Pat, who doesn’t answer. —Jessica Kiang, Variety, 25 Feb. 2024

In the ensuing decade, no one has bothered to broach the subject. —Mary Jo Pitzl, The Arizona Republic, 17 Jan. 2024

The idea was initially broached, and then abandoned, a few years ago. —Chris Willman, Variety, 22 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English broche "pointed instrument, brooch," borrowed from Anglo-French, "pointed object, brooch, spigot," going back to Vulgar Latin *brocca, noun derivative from feminine of Latin broccus "prominent, projecting," of uncertain origin

Verb (1)

Middle English brochen "to pierce, skewer (meat), tap (a cask)," borrowed from Anglo-French brocher "to prick, spur, stab," verbal derivative of broche "pointed object" — more at broach entry 1

Verb (2)

perhaps from broach entry 2

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Verb (2)

1699, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

broach

1 of 2 noun

ˈbrōch 

: any of various pointed or narrowed tools or parts

especially : one used for shaping a hole already bored

broach

2 of 2 verb

1

: to make a hole in (as a cask) in order to draw off the contents

2

: to bring up for discussion

broach a subject

3

: to break the surface (as of water) from below

saw a submarine broaching

Medical Definition

broach

1 of 2 noun

ˈbrōch 

: a fine tapered flexible instrument used in dentistry to remove dental pulp and to dress a root canal

broach

2 of 2 transitive verb

: to open (a vein) to draw blood