Definition of brake
(Entry 1 of 6)
1
: a device for arresting or preventing the motion of a mechanism usually by means of friction
apply the brakes took his foot off the brake
2
: something used to slow down or stop movement or activity
use interest rates as a brake on spending
brake
verb
braked; braking
Definition of brake (Entry 2 of 6)
1
: to operate or manage a brake
especially
: to apply the brake on a vehicle
brake around the curves
2
: to become checked by a brake
The train braked to a stop.
: to slow or stop by or as if by a brake (see brake entry 1)
braking a tractor
brake
noun (2)Definition of brake (Entry 3 of 6)
botany
: the common bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum)
brake
noun (3)Definition of brake (Entry 4 of 6)
2
: a machine for bending, flanging, folding, and forming sheet metal
brake
noun (4)Definition of brake (Entry 5 of 6)
geography
: rough or marshy land overgrown usually with one kind of plant
cedar brakes coastal brakes
brake
Definition of brake (Entry 6 of 6)
archaic past tense of break
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for brake
The first known use of brake was in the 14th century
See more words from the same century