Definition of break
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a
: to separate into parts with suddenness or violence
broke a plate Break the chocolate bar in half.
b(1)
: to cause (a bone) to separate into two or more pieces : fracture
broke her femur
(2)
: to fracture a bone of (a bodily part)
the blow broke her arm
(3)
: to dislocate or dislocate and fracture a bone of (the neck or back)
c
: to cause an open wound in : rupture
break the skin
d
: to cut into and turn over the surface of
break the soil
e
: to render inoperable
broke his watch
2a
: violate, transgress
break the law break a promise breaking conventions
b
law
: to invalidate (a will) by action under the provisions of the law
3a
archaic
: to force entry into
b
: to burst and force a way through
break the sound barrier break a racial barrier
c
: to escape by force from
break jail
d
: to make or effect by cutting, forcing, or pressing through
break a trail through the woods
4
: to disrupt the order or compactness of
break formation
5
: to make ineffective as a binding force
break the spell
6a
: to defeat utterly and end as an effective force : destroy
used starvation to break the enemy
b
: to crush the spirit of
brutal methods broke the prisoner
d
: to exhaust in health, strength, or capacity
broken by his struggle for power
7a
: to stop or bring to an end suddenly : halt
break a deadlock breaking a bad habit decided to break off all ties to the organization
c
: to open and bring about suspension of operation
break an electric circuit
d
: to destroy unity or completeness of
break a dining room set by buying a chair
e
: to change the appearance of uniformity of
a dormer breaks the level roof
f
: to split the surface of
could see fish breaking water
g
: to cause to discontinue a habit
tried to break him of smoking
8a
: to make known : tell
break the bad news gently
b
: to bring to attention or prominence initially
radio stations breaking new musicians break a news story
9a
: to ruin financially
break the bank
b
: to reduce in rank
broken from sergeant to private
10a
: to split into smaller units, parts, or processes : divide
Break the grammar lesson into digestible chunks. break a word at the end of a line
b(1)
: to give or get the equivalent of (a bill) in smaller denominations
Can you break a fifty?
(2)
: to use as the denomination in paying a bill
didn't want to break a $20 bill
—often used with into, up, or down
11a
: to check or slow the speed, force, or intensity of
The bushes broke his fall. without breaking her stride
b
: to cause failure and discontinuance of (a strike) by measures outside bargaining processes
12
: to cause a sudden significant decrease in the price, value, or volume of
news likely to break the market sharply
b
golf
: to score less than (a specified total)
trying to break 90
c
tennis
: to win against (an opponent's service)
15a
: to find an explanation or solution for : solve
the detective broke the case
b
: to discover the essentials of (a code or cipher system)
16
: to demonstrate the falsity of
break an alibi
17
: to ruin the prospects of
could make or break her career
18
: to produce visibly
barely breaks a sweat
1a
: to escape with sudden forceful effort
the attacker broke from the throng
b
: to come into being by or as if by bursting forth
day was breaking
c
: to effect a penetration
break through security lines
d
: to emerge through the surface of the water
The fish were breaking.
e
: to start abruptly
when the storm broke
f
: to become known or published
when the news broke
g
: to make a sudden dash
break for cover
h
boxing
: to separate after an instance of holding an opponent at close quarters : to separate after a clinch
The ref told them to break.
i
: to achieve initial success in usually a sudden or striking way
her song broke nationally
j
: to begin a race
the horse broke poorly
b
: to open spontaneously or by pressure from within
the blister broke
c
of a wave
: to curl over and fall apart in surf or foam
3
: to interrupt one's activity or occupation for a brief period
break for lunch
4
: to alter sharply in tone, pitch, or intensity
a voice breaking with emotion
5
: to become fair (see fair entry 1 sense 3) : clear
when the weather breaks
6
billiards
: to make the opening shot of a game of pool
7
: to end a relationship, connection, or agreement
—usually used with with or from break with traditionbroke with the leadership
8
: to give way in disorderly retreat
if the front line breaks
9a
: to swerve suddenly
b
: to curve from a straight path
a pitch that breaks away from the batter a putt that breaks left
10a
: to fail in health, strength, vitality, resolve, or control
may break under questioning
b
: to become inoperative because of damage, wear, or strain
the pump broke
12
: to undergo a sudden significant decrease in price, value, or volume
transportation stocks may break sharply
15a
: to divide into classes, categories, or types
b
: to fold, bend, lift, or come apart at a seam, groove, or joint
The seam on her dress broke.
c
of cream
: to separate during churning into liquid and fat
break a leg
break bread
break camp
break cover
or less commonly break covert
break even
break free
break ground
break into
break one's heart
break one's wrists
break ranks
or less commonly break rank
break the back of
break the ice
break wind
—used to wish good luck especially to a performer
: to dine together
: to pack up gear and leave a camp or campsite
: to start from a hiding place, covert (see covert entry 2 sense 1), or lair
: to achieve a balance
especially
: to operate a business or enterprise without either loss or profit
: to get away by overcoming restraints or constraints
1
: to begin construction
breaking ground on a new wing of the hospital
1
: to begin with or as if with a sudden throwing off of restraint
broke into tears face breaking into a smile the horse breaks into a gallop
2
: to make entry or entrance into
broke into the house break into show business
3
: interrupt
break into a TV program with a news flash
: to crush emotionally with sorrow
He broke my heart when he said he was leaving.
: to turn the wrists as part of the swing of a club or bat
: to differ in opinion or action from one's peers
—often used with with broke ranks with the party's leadership
: to subdue the main force of
break the back of inflation
1
: to make a beginning
2
: to get through the first difficulties in starting a conversation or discussion
: to expel gas from the intestine
break
nounDefinition of break (Entry 2 of 2)
1a
: an act or action of breaking
b
billiards
: the opening shot in a game of pool or billiards
b
: a gap in an otherwise continuous electric circuit
3
: the action or act of entering, escaping, or emerging from something (such as darkness) often in a sudden or violent way : the action or act of breaking in, breaking out, or breaking forth
at break of day a jail break
4
: a place or situation at which a break occurs: such as
a
: the place at which a word is divided especially at the end of a line of print or writing
b
: the location at which waves curl over and fall apart in surf or foam : the point at which waves break (see break entry 1 sense 2c) for surfing
c
: separation of composed matter at an indicated point
also
: the separation between a preview of a website or a particular post on a website and the full content
reading the rest of the article after the break
5
: an interruption in continuity
a break in the weather
: such as
a
: a notable change of subject matter, attitude, or treatment
the break after the eighth line of a sonnet
b(1)
: an abrupt, significant, or noteworthy change or interruption in a continuous process, trend, or surface
dislikes breaks in his daily routine a break in her dancing career fields that extend for miles without a break
(2)
: a respite from work, school, or duty
take a short coffee break college kids on spring break
(3)
: relief from annoyance
—often used to express exasperation or irritation in phrases like give me a break
(4)
: a planned interruption in a radio or television program
a break for the commercial
c
baseball
: deviation of a pitched ball from a straight line
f(1)
: an abrupt change in musical or vocal pitch or quality
especially
: the point between two distinctive musical registers of a voice or a wind instrument
(2)
: a sudden change in vocal pitch, intensity, or tone
speaking passionately, with a break in her voice
(3)
: a quick shift from one rhythmic track to another in the same tempo and key on a different turntable
g
tennis
: the action or an instance of winning against an opponent's service : the action or an instance of breaking (see break entry 1 sense 13c) service
a service break
h
music
: a usually solo instrumental passage in jazz, folk, or popular music
7
: a sudden and abrupt decline of prices or values
8a
: the start of a race
b
boxing
: the act of separating after an instance of holding an opponent at close quarters : the act of separating after a clinch
9a
: a stroke of luck and especially of good luck
got a lucky break can't seem to catch a break a series of bad breaks
b
: a favorable or opportune situation : chance
waiting for a big break in show business
c
: favorable consideration or treatment
a tax break a break on the price
10a
: a rupture in previously agreeable relations
a break between the two countries
b
: an abrupt split or difference with something previously adhered to or followed
a sharp break with tradition
11
: breakdown sense 1c
suffered a mental break
Test Your Vocabulary
Which Word Does Not Belong?
-
- Which of these words does not mean "nonsense"?

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share break
Time Traveler for break
The first known use of break was before the 12th century
See more words from the same century