breakaway

noun

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break·away | \ ˈbrā-kə-ˌwā

Definition of breakaway

(Entry 1 of 3)

1a : one that breaks away

b : a departure from or rejection of something (such as a group or tradition)

2a : a play (as in hockey) in which an offensive player breaks free of the defenders and rushes toward the goal

b : a sudden acceleration by one or more bicyclists pulling away from the pack in a race

3 : an object made to shatter or collapse under pressure or impact

breakaway

adjective

Definition of breakaway (Entry 2 of 3)

1 : favoring independence from an affiliation : seceding a breakaway faction formed a new party

2 : made to break, shatter, or bend easily breakaway road signs for highway safety

3a : of, relating to, or resulting from a breakaway a breakaway goal

b : allowing or having an ability to execute a breakaway breakaway speed

break away

verb

broke away; broken away; breaking away; breaks away

Definition of break away (Entry 3 of 3)

intransitive verb

1 : to detach oneself especially from a group : get away

2 : to depart from former or accustomed ways

3 : to pull away with a burst of speed

Examples of breakaway in a Sentence

Adjective A breakaway faction formed a new party.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Russia has repeatedly used annexation or recognition of breakaway republics as tactics in recent years to gain pieces of fellow former Soviet republics Ukraine and Georgia. — Elena Becatoros And Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2022 Russia has repeatedly used annexation or recognition of breakaway republics as tactics in recent years to gain pieces of fellow former Soviet republics Ukraine and Georgia. — Elena Becatoros, BostonGlobe.com, 11 May 2022 Explosions were confirmed in the Moldovan breakaway region of Transnistria Saturday after two drones were reported to be flying over military units in the village of Voronkove – roughly five miles from the Ukrainian border. — Caitlin Mcfall, Fox News, 7 May 2022 Teammate Evgeny Kuznetsov took it in for a breakaway and beat Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky. — Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 4 May 2022 Twenty-one seconds later on the Mavericks ensuing possession, McGee stripped the ball from Luka Doncic on an isolation play and took it to the house for a breakaway slam. — Duane Rankin, USA TODAY, 3 May 2022 Twenty-one seconds later on the Mavericks ensuing possession, McGee stripped the ball from Luka Doncic on an isolation play and took it to the house for a breakaway slam. — Dana Scott, The Arizona Republic, 2 May 2022 Military commander Rustam Minnekaev last week appeared to suggest that Russia was targeting an invasion of Transnistria, an unrecognized breakaway republic of Moldova on Ukraine’s southwestern flank. — NBC News, 30 Apr. 2022 Much societal change that Wulfhart tangentially deals with made the climate more favorable for a breakaway union spearheaded by women. — Washington Post, 29 Apr. 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective Jerome Kersey followed with a breakaway dunk with 1:17 left and the game was tied at 97-97. — oregonlive, 28 Apr. 2020 His breakaway power dunks were a highlight of a season that was short on those. — Scott Ostler, SFChronicle.com, 19 Mar. 2020 Johnson opened the second frame with a steal and a breakaway dunk, electrifying a drowsy crowd that had witnessed only six combined points through the first eight minutes. — Shelby Dermer, Cincinnati.com, 8 Mar. 2020 Not giving the Chargers a breather, Fern Creek star point guard Jaden Rogers got a steal and a chance for a breakaway dunk. — David J. Kim, The Courier-Journal, 29 Feb. 2020 Watchmen’s fantastic seventh episode indulges a breakaway gimmick with its own Garden of Eden imagery. — Darren Franich, EW.com, 11 May 2020 The breakaway musical success of Billie Eilish is a recent example. — Josh Linkner, Detroit Free Press, 1 Mar. 2020 Restrictions on movement not only could slow the peace process but also could hinder a protest movement that is passionately calling for Ukraine not to give two breakaway regions run by Russian rebels, Luhansk and Donetsk, any legitimacy. — NBC News, 21 Feb. 2020 But a steal and breakaway layup by Gabby Williams capped a 16-0 run and UConn led 26-11 after 10 minutes. — USA TODAY, 18 Jan. 2018 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'breakaway.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.