breaker

1 of 2

noun (1)

break·​er ˈbrā-kər 

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

3

: 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

breaker

2 of 2

noun (2)

brea·​ker ˈbrā-kər 

: a small water cask

Examples of breaker in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

This would end up being the tie-breaker in the group that sends Miami to the 3rd place game, a huge shot in their late playoff push. — Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

Not what you’re supposed to do in rehab, but Elizabeth was always a rule breaker. — Liz McNeil, PEOPLE, 21 July 2026

If that coverage isn’t a deal breaker for you, though, both are still worth considering. — Sharon Wu, USA Today, 17 July 2026

But the third Belgian goal — the true back-breaker — came following a Freese error. — Tom Bogert, New York Times, 15 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

by folk etymology from Spanish barrica

First Known Use

Noun (1)

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

1833, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing breaker

• circuit breaker
• deal breaker

Rhymes for breaker

• laker
• maker
• nacre
• quaker
• raker
• sacre
• shaker
• taker
• automaker
• boilermaker
• cabinetmaker
• coffeemaker

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