plural breakers
1
a
: someone or something that breaks something
a deal breaker
world record breakers
b
: a machine or plant for breaking rocks or coal
c
chiefly British
: someone who breaks up ships or cars for salvage
d
: a device for opening a circuit
specifically
: circuit breaker
2
: a wave breaking into foam (as against the shore)
Few things leave you feeling as connected to nature as surfing—whether you're floundering about in the breakers or riding the waves.—
Ellie Ross
Ellie Ross3
: someone who breakdances : breakdancer
While the first generation of breakers who started in the early 1970s aged out within five years, newer generations in their early teens were coming up and seeking out others who kept the dance alive on their own blocks in New York City.—Imani Kai Johnson
Imani Kai Johnson
Examples of breaker in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the WebKirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Nov. 2023
Friday’s list of activities featured ice breakers, table talks, and opportunities to write down our feelings, thoughts and ideas in our high-quality journals provided by BLK.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 20 Sep. 2023
Another breaker of records, Peso Pluma, became the first regional Mexican act to take the stage at any VMAs in history.
—Suzy Exposito, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2023
Every awards season, pundits leave themselves open to late-year breakers.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 11 Sep. 2023
Clark Edgeware is an archaeologist in disgrace, Riley Rhodes is a curse breaker on the rise, and the infamous Scottish castle they’ve both been hired to investigate is the battleground.
—Olivia Waite, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2023
Fashion, as an ice breaker, is fashion in its highest form (this coming from the woman who bought the Pigeon purse…naturally).
—Jenny Walton, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2023
Iconic breakers and rising talent came together at The Fillmore Philadelphia, where competitors showcased unparalleled footwork, freezes, and power moves to win over a judging panel of respected breakers and claim the coveted national b-boy and b-girl championship titles.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 12 Sep. 2023
Mortensen helped pioneer the role of a news breaker who contributed to multiple broadcasts and platforms with both reporting and analysis.
—Chris Bumbaca, USA TODAY, 5 Sep. 2023
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Noun
The 62-yard run was representative of the big plays that have been back breakers this season.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Nov. 2023
Friday’s list of activities featured ice breakers, table talks, and opportunities to write down our feelings, thoughts and ideas in our high-quality journals provided by BLK.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 20 Sep. 2023
Another breaker of records, Peso Pluma, became the first regional Mexican act to take the stage at any VMAs in history.
—Suzy Exposito, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2023
Every awards season, pundits leave themselves open to late-year breakers.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 11 Sep. 2023
Clark Edgeware is an archaeologist in disgrace, Riley Rhodes is a curse breaker on the rise, and the infamous Scottish castle they’ve both been hired to investigate is the battleground.
—Olivia Waite, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2023
Fashion, as an ice breaker, is fashion in its highest form (this coming from the woman who bought the Pigeon purse…naturally).
—Jenny Walton, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2023
Iconic breakers and rising talent came together at The Fillmore Philadelphia, where competitors showcased unparalleled footwork, freezes, and power moves to win over a judging panel of respected breakers and claim the coveted national b-boy and b-girl championship titles.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 12 Sep. 2023
Mortensen helped pioneer the role of a news breaker who contributed to multiple broadcasts and platforms with both reporting and analysis.
—Chris Bumbaca, USA TODAY, 5 Sep. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'breaker.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing breaker
Dictionary Entries Near breaker
Cite this Entry
“Breaker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/breaker. Accessed 6 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
breaker
noun
break·er
ˈbrā-kər
1
: a person or thing that breaks something
2
: a wave breaking into foam against the shore
More from Merriam-Webster on breaker
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for breaker
Nglish: Translation of breaker for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about breaker
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