fast break
noun
: a quick offensive drive toward a goal (as in basketball) in an attempt to score before the opponent's defense is set up
Examples of fast break in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Sacramento had 26 fast break points and limited Brooklyn to seven.
—
Chris Biderman, Sacramento Bee, 8 Apr. 2024
The Gaels held a 19-16 rebounding edge, but the Lopes showed off their athletic advantage, blocking three shots, outscoring Saint Mary’s 9-0 in fast break points and completing five dunks.
—Jeff Faraudo, The Mercury News, 23 Mar. 2024
After the Lakers turned it over on the first play of the game, Hawks forward Jaylen Johnson turned the ensuing fast break into a highlight, jumping almost completely over Austin Reaves — the rare occasion where the story begins with an exclamation point before anything else is written.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2024
Related Articles In 12 games since the All-Star break — a stretch in which the Warriors have largely played well — Golden State ranks 25th in the NBA in opponents’ fast break points per game (16.9).
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 16 Mar. 2024
Stanford forward Brooke Demetre quickly grabbed the ball and then set up Courtney Ogden on the fast break at 2:21 for a 58-37 lead.
—Jenna Ortiz, The Arizona Republic, 26 Jan. 2024
Chino Hills fell behind by 10 points, then won 70-50 with all kinds of vintage plays, dunks and fast breaks.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2024
The half ended on Booker's buzzer-beating fast break layup assisted by Kevin Durant (six points, four assists).
—Dana Scott, The Arizona Republic, 29 Jan. 2024
The Flyers opened with an 11-0 run, with Holmes hitting a jumper, a 3-pointer and getting a dunk off a fast break.
—Mitch Stacy, USA TODAY, 20 Jan. 2024
Chris Biderman, Sacramento Bee, 8 Apr. 2024
The Gaels held a 19-16 rebounding edge, but the Lopes showed off their athletic advantage, blocking three shots, outscoring Saint Mary’s 9-0 in fast break points and completing five dunks.
—Jeff Faraudo, The Mercury News, 23 Mar. 2024
After the Lakers turned it over on the first play of the game, Hawks forward Jaylen Johnson turned the ensuing fast break into a highlight, jumping almost completely over Austin Reaves — the rare occasion where the story begins with an exclamation point before anything else is written.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2024
Related Articles In 12 games since the All-Star break — a stretch in which the Warriors have largely played well — Golden State ranks 25th in the NBA in opponents’ fast break points per game (16.9).
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 16 Mar. 2024
Stanford forward Brooke Demetre quickly grabbed the ball and then set up Courtney Ogden on the fast break at 2:21 for a 58-37 lead.
—Jenna Ortiz, The Arizona Republic, 26 Jan. 2024
Chino Hills fell behind by 10 points, then won 70-50 with all kinds of vintage plays, dunks and fast breaks.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2024
The half ended on Booker's buzzer-beating fast break layup assisted by Kevin Durant (six points, four assists).
—Dana Scott, The Arizona Republic, 29 Jan. 2024
The Flyers opened with an 11-0 run, with Holmes hitting a jumper, a 3-pointer and getting a dunk off a fast break.
—Mitch Stacy, USA TODAY, 20 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fast break.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1929, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near fast break
Cite this Entry
“Fast break.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fast%20break. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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