breakaway

noun break·away \ ˈbrā-kə-ˌwā \

Updated on: 14 Apr 2018

Definition of breakaway

1 a : one that breaks away

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

2 a : 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

Recent Examples of breakaway from the Web

Frederik Andersen was outstanding, making 37 saves, including saves on breakaways by Taylor Hall and Michael Grabner in the big second period.

— the associated press, New York Times, "Devils Head to Playoffs for First Time Since 2012," 5 Apr. 2018
With the addition of the eight breakaway members, Democrats now hold 29 seats.

— corinne ramey, WSJ, "New York State Democrats Reach Deal to Unify," 4 Apr. 2018
Giroux scored the game-winning overtime goal with 1:21 left in overtime against the Boston Bruins on a beautiful breakaway goal, giving the Flyers a 4–3 victory The win moved the Flyers into seventh place in the Eastern Conference.

— scooby axson, SI.com, "Flyers, Claude Giroux Beat Bruins in OT; Move Closer To Playoffs," 1 Apr. 2018
Luongo stopped van Riemsdyk on a breakaway, then robbed Tyler Bozak of what looked like a sure goal with a blocker save.

— Sun-Sentinel.com, "Florida Panthers dominated in first period of 4-2 loss in Toronto," 28 Mar. 2018
His dunk on a steal and breakaway at the end of the third quarter was met by a thunderous response.

— john maffei, sandiegouniontribune.com, "D-V boys basketball: S.D. Southwest fans hit road for Raiders win," 1 Mar. 2018
With just over eight minutes left in the third, Middleton stole a Lance Thomas pass and pushed ahead for a breakaway.

— matt velazquez, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Bucks 103, Knicks 89: Milwaukee runs away after all-star Kristaps Porzingis tears ACL," 6 Feb. 2018
All four Panthers goals in a 4-1 win over Philadelphia came on breakaways, directly following a win over Buffalo in which the final two goals were on the rush.

— matthew defranks, Sun-Sentinel.com, "During hot streak, Panthers generating plenty of offense off the rush," 10 Mar. 2018
The winning goal came shortly after halftime through Bryan native Brek Shea on a breakaway.

— corey roepken, Houston Chronicle, "Dynamo fall to Vancouver Whitecaps FC in rare home loss," 10 Mar. 2018

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.

First Known Use of breakaway

1881

breakaway

adjective

Definition of breakaway

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

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

a breakaway goal

b : allowing or having an ability to execute a breakaway

breakaway speed

See breakaway defined for English-language learners

Examples of breakaway in a Sentence

A breakaway faction formed a new party.

Recent Examples of breakaway from the Web

Starter Alex Collins is a breakaway threat as a runner.

— mike preston, baltimoresun.com, "Mike Preston: Ravens need a third-down passing threat out of the backfield," 9 Apr. 2018
In 1979, Abouzeid notes, a breakaway faction of the Muslim Brotherhood attacked an artillery school and slaughtered 83 Alawite cadets after separating them from their Sunni comrades.

— christopher dickey, New York Times, "War Without End," 6 Apr. 2018
But on Tuesday Cuomo did just that, brokering a reconciliation between Andrea Stewart-Cousins, the leader of the Senate Democrats, and Jeff Klein, the leader of the breakaway faction, known as the Independent Democratic Caucus.

— alex shephard, The New Republic, "Cynthia Nixon Is in Andrew Cuomo’s Head," 5 Apr. 2018
Jake Walter had four of the points, including a dunk, and Fredrick scored on a breakaway layup to finish with 22 points.

— james weber, Cincinnati.com, "Covington Catholic Colonels overwhelm Oldham County Colonels to win state semis," 17 Mar. 2018
Vince Edwards took heed and hustled back to block Jamal Smith's attempt on a breakaway layup.

— larry lage, chicagotribune.com, "Purdue's Isaac Haas out for rest of NCAA tournament after breaking elbow in win vs. Cal State Fullerton," 16 Mar. 2018
Reports of leadership fissures and breakaway factions are triggering alarm.

— elaine weiss, Time, "Women's Movements Are Facing Internal Divisions. History Shows That's Not Necessarily a Bad Thing," 6 Mar. 2018
Emma Nolan added a breakaway layup late and Salyer closed the scoring with a free throw.

— paul shepherd, Indianapolis Star, "IHSAA girls basketball: Marquette Catholic gets boost from unlikely hero to win Class A state title," 24 Feb. 2018
Abdur-Rahkman had 11 of his 17 points after halftime, Moritz Wagner added a critical three-point play off a breakaway layup and the Wolverines effectively sealed a double-digit win over one of the league's top squads.

— nick baumgardner, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan turns emotional day into resume-building win over Ohio State," 18 Feb. 2018

First Known Use of breakaway

1927

break away

verb

Definition of break away

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

First Known Use of break away

1535

BREAKAWAY Defined for English Language Learners

breakaway

adjective

Definition of breakaway for English Language Learners

: having become separate from a larger group, country, etc. : having broken away

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breakaway

Definition of breakaway

Recent Examples of breakaway from the Web

First Known Use of breakaway

breakaway

Definition of breakaway

Examples of breakaway in a Sentence

Recent Examples of breakaway from the Web

First Known Use of breakaway

break away

Definition of break away

First Known Use of break away

BREAKAWAY Defined for English Language Learners

breakaway

Definition of breakaway for English Language Learners

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