break even

1 of 3

phrase

: to achieve a balance

especially : to operate a business or enterprise without either loss or profit

breakeven

2 of 3

noun

break·​even ˈbrāk-ˈē-vən 

: the point at which cost and income are equal and there is neither profit nor loss

also : a financial result reflecting neither profit nor loss

break-even

3 of 3

adjective

ˈbrāk-ˈē-vən 

: having equal cost and income

Examples of break even in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Phrase

If these movies cost $100,000 to produce, that would be pretty close to break even on the first, and profitable on the second. — Daren Smith, IndieWire, 8 July 2026

The most popular was the 450-strike call expiring July 17, a 15-cent trade contract that needs a 180% rally by the end of next week to break even. — Oliver Renick, CNBC, 6 July 2026

Adjective

The break-even point is just over half of the 150,000-unit production capacity the company plans to have at its assembly plant in Warsaw, Indiana. — Michael Wayland, CNBC, 24 June 2026

Revenue has been rising, bringing the club closer to break-even. — Brett Knight, Forbes.com, 17 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Phrase

1885, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1958, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1931, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for break even

• breakeven
• genevan
• uneven
• steven