broken

adjective

bro·​ken ˈbrō-kən How to pronounce broken (audio)
1
: violently separated into parts : shattered
broken windows
2
: damaged or altered by or as if by breaking (see break entry 1): such as
a
: having undergone or been subjected to fracture
a broken leg
b
: not working properly
a broken camera
c
of land surfaces : being irregular, interrupted, or full of obstacles
a long broken ridge
d
: violated by transgression : not kept or honored
a broken promise
e
: discontinuous, interrupted
a broken sleep
f
: disrupted by change
g
of a tulip flower : having an irregular, streaked, or blotched pattern especially from virus infection
3
a
: made weak or infirm
his old, broken body
b
: subdued completely : crushed, sorrowful
a broken heart
a broken spirit
c
d
: reduced in rank
was broken from sergeant to private
4
a
: cut off : disconnected
spoke a few broken words
b
: imperfectly spoken or written
broken English
5
: not complete or full
a broken bale of hay
6
: disunited by divorce, separation, or desertion of one parent
children from broken homes
a broken family
brokenly adverb
brokenness noun

Examples of broken in a Sentence

The street was covered with broken glass. a broken vase that could not be repaired
Recent Examples on the Web Then check for a wet spot, leaking pipe or broken sprinkler. Kobi Bardugo, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2024 Thankfully, the burgeoning field of circadian science points to surprisingly simple fixes for our broken inner clocks. TIME, 9 Mar. 2024 When Swayze’s Dalton arrives at the Double Deuce, the seedy joint he’s supposed to transform, the place is all brawling chaos (or, at least, the 1980s backlot version of it: an orgy of broken prop glass, corn-syrup blood, and stunt fights that look like stunt fights). Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 9 Mar. 2024 That's a sign that broken supply chains and higher energy and food prices after Russia's invasion of Ukraine played a role. Josh Boak, Quartz, 8 Mar. 2024 He’s accused of giving the man a concussion, a broken cheekbone and lacerations. Olivia Lloyd, Miami Herald, 8 Mar. 2024 There is a broken down vehicle on K-10 between South Cedar Creek Parkway and K-7. Kansas City Star Bot, Kansas City Star, 8 Mar. 2024 So more of us are putting off repairs and putting up with broken phones. Jessica Guynn, USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2024 As for what would be helpful from the city, Martinez said a sign or directories around the downtown area would go a long way, as would fixing the broken streetlights. Alexandra Hardle, The Arizona Republic, 27 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'broken.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English brocen, from past participle of brecan to break

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of broken was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near broken

Cite this Entry

“Broken.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/broken. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

broken

adjective
bro·​ken ˈbrō-kən How to pronounce broken (audio)
1
: shattered into pieces
broken glass
2
a
: rough entry 1 sense 1a, uneven
broken terrain
b
: having gaps or breaks
a broken line
3
: not kept
a broken promise
4
: subdued completely
a broken spirit
5
: imperfectly spoken
broken English
6
: having undergone fracture
a broken leg
7
: having one parent missing (as because of divorce)
children from broken homes
brokenly adverb
brokenness noun

Medical Definition

broken

adjective
bro·​ken ˈbrō-kən How to pronounce broken (audio)
: having undergone or been subjected to fracture
a broken leg

Legal Definition

broken

past participle of break

More from Merriam-Webster on broken

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