breaker

1 of 2

noun (1)

break·​er ˈbrā-kər How to pronounce breaker (audio)
plural breakers
Synonyms of breakernext
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 How to pronounce breaker (audio)
: a small water cask

Examples of breaker in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
For Drafted Dodger Stadium events, the group typically meets up before the game at a brewery for a drink and some ice-breaker games. Julie Sharp, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026 True to form, the Boards of Canada resurrection has murmured to life so quietly that only the most obsessive of code breakers twigged it early on. Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 16 Apr. 2026 For Washington, the deal breaker was nuclear weapons. Saeed Shah, Time, 13 Apr. 2026 Do your best to stay chill, even in the wake of returning spring breakers who will help re-clog commutes citywide. Eric Mandel, AJC.com, 13 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for breaker

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of breaker was in the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Breaker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/breaker. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.

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

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