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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Gustafsson was discovered lying nearby with a broken jaw, fractured cheekbones and a concussion. Christina Coulter, People.com, 8 July 2025 As the girls sang, waves crashed where water shouldn't flow, tumbling through broken roads and structures turned inside-out. Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 8 July 2025 The truck was surprisingly harsh over broken asphalt, and there was a fair bit of road noise, too. Tim Stevens, ArsTechnica, 8 July 2025 Some will walk away with a broken heart, while others will find new relationships (or even a ring on their finger). Allison Degrushe Published, EW.com, 7 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for broken

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Broken.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/broken. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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