breakout

noun break·out \ ˈbrāk-ˌau̇t \

|Updated on: 19 Jun 2018

Definition of breakout

1 : a violent or forceful break from a restraining condition or situation; especially : a military attack to break from encirclement

2 : an eruption or inflammation of the skin

Because stress can throw your hormones out of balance, it can make normal sebaceous glands produce oil at an increased rate, causing breakouts.
—Harper's Bazaar

See breakout defined for English-language learners

Examples of breakout in a Sentence

the captives had been planning to stage a breakout at the next change in shift for the guards

Recent Examples of breakout from the Web

Includes educational lectures on technology and economics, networking, breakout sessions and fireside chat.

— Sun-Sentinel.com, "Davie and Cooper City area events, June 13-23," 12 June 2018
She's stuck mostly to music and movies since her big breakout role in 2010's True Grit, but now, Hailee Steinfeld is making her first major dive into television with a new series, Dickinson.

— allie gemmill, Teen Vogue, "Hailee Steinfeld Will Play Emily Dickinson in New Apple TV Series," 31 May 2018
Much has changed, particularly in the week since Huerter’s breakout performance at the NBA draft combine in Chicago.

— don markus, baltimoresun.com, "Maryland's Huerter sees first-round stock rise while Fernando, Jackson barely mentioned in mock drafts," 24 May 2018
That’s the message scientists got Thursday, in a standing-room-only breakout session about how to collaborate with 23andMe.

— megan molteni, WIRED, "23andMe Goes Global In Its Data-Mining Efforts," 18 May 2018
Derrick Rose — yes, that Derrick Rose! — had a breakout performance in the first half of Monday’s Game 4 against the Rockets.

— andrew joseph, For The Win, "Kevin Harlan inadvertently gave Derrick Rose a new name while addressing Reggie Miller," 24 Apr. 2018
In addition to keynote speakers, film screenings, and networking opportunities, Facing Race is to present at least 80 panels and breakout sessions.

— kristen jordan shamus, Detroit Free Press, "#MeToo founder Tarana Burke to speak at Detroit conference," 23 Apr. 2018
Registration fees include all conference activities, breakout sessions, breakfast and lunch.

— Post-Tribune, "Community news," 18 Apr. 2018
Two breakout sessions also are scheduled, offering information on bringing an outside executive into the family business and family trusts.

— mark glover, sacbee, "Sacramento forum to focus on family business issues | The Sacramento Bee," 10 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'breakout.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of breakout

1820

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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breakout Synonyms

breakout

adjective

Definition of breakout

: being or relating to a sudden or smashing success especially in comparison to previous efforts

a breakout book

See breakout defined for English-language learners

Examples of breakout in a Sentence

The company had a breakout year last year, tripling its profits from the previous year.

Recent Examples of breakout from the Web

American Ashley Wagner was a surprise omission from the U.S. figure skating roster after Tennell's breakout performances in Skate America and the national championships.

— Anchorage Daily News, "Everything you need to know about the Winter Olympics," 8 Feb. 2018
American Ashley Wagner was a surprise omission from the U.S. figure skating roster after Tennell's breakout performances in Skate America and the national championships.

— the washington post, chicagotribune.com, "Everything you need to know about the Winter Olympics," 7 Feb. 2018
Sparring Partner Next year's breakout Victoria's Secret supermodel, who has a mean right cross.

— benjy hansen-bundy, GQ, "How To Be Better Than Everyone Else In 2018," 7 Feb. 2018
The evening featured a panel presentation and interactive breakout discussion groups aimed to empower singles to share their common experiences and ideas for proactive solutions.

— sergio carmona, Jewish Journal, "South Beach soiree attracts Jewish singles looking for love," 7 Feb. 2018
Johnson said via email, before her breakout weekend.

— chadd cripe, idahostatesman, "U.S. Olympians with ties to Idaho include skier, snowboarders | Idaho Statesman," 6 Feb. 2018
Bartosz Kapustka, a player hyped for his breakout performances for Poland at Euro 2016, failed to play a single Premier League game last season and was loaned to Freiburg for 2017-18.

— SI.com, "Extent of Leicester's Poor 2016 Recruitment Made Clear After Last Signings Leave Club," 2 Feb. 2018
Similarly, Haddish’s spirited turn in Girls Trip was one of the breakout performances of 2017.

— eliza berman, Time, "The Biggest Snubs and Surprises of the 2018 Oscar Nominations," 23 Jan. 2018
Camila Mendes is best known for her breakout performance as pithy former mean girl Veronica Lodge on The CW's Riverdale.

— julie kosin, Harper's BAZAAR, "Riverdale's Camila Mendes Impersonates the Internet," 18 Jan. 2018

First Known Use of breakout

1960

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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break out

verb

Definition of break out

intransitive verb

1 : to develop or emerge with suddenness or force

fire broke out

a riot broke out

2 a : to become covered

break out in a sweat

b : to become affected with an eruption or inflammation of the skin

break out in hives

his face broke out with acne

3 : to make a break from a restraining condition or situation

broke out of a slump

broke out of jail

transitive verb

1 a : to make ready for action or use

break out the tents and make camp

b : to produce for consumption

break out a bottle of champagne

2 : to display flying and unfurled

3 : to separate from a mass of data

break out newsstand sales

See break out defined for kids

Examples of break out in a Sentence

in the wake of news reports of deaths from the flu, panic broke out, and there was a mad rush for flu shots

Recent Examples of break out from the Web

Should peace break out on the Korean Peninsula, Russia stands to gain enormously.

— fred weir, The Christian Science Monitor, "As Singapore summit nears, Russia worries Trump and Kim won't cut a deal," 6 June 2018
Rather than one unwieldy, overarching campaign, War Stories breaks out into a series of short one- or two-hour vignettes.

— hayden dingman, PCWorld, "Battlefield V returns to WWII with no plans for a premium season pass," 23 May 2018
This outbreak marks the ninth known time Ebola has broken out in the DRC.

— helen branswell, STAT, "Experimental vaccine to be used against Ebola outbreak in the DRC," 13 May 2018
Breaking and entering, Brookpark Road: On May 3, police were dispatched to a Brookpark Road restaurant after an employee discovered someone broke out a window and rummaged through several areas of the building.

— john benson, cleveland.com, "Apartment resident reports thief took items from storage locker: Parma Police Blotter," 10 May 2018
Law enforcement agencies are telling residents and business within a 5-mile radius of a Louisiana chemical plant to evacuate as an apparent fire broke out Thursday, CBS affiliate KLFY-TV reports.

— peter martinez, CBS News, "Fire breaks out at chemical plant in Louisiana, prompting evacuations – live updates," 3 May 2018
Reggie accosts Sweet Pa and a fight almost breaks out between the football team and the Serpents.

— amy mackelden, Harper's BAZAAR, "Riverdale Season 2 Episode 20: The Black Hood Returns and the Serpents Aren't Safe," 3 May 2018
Asked for an estimate on when the window had been broken out, the security guard could suggest only a 12-hour period.

— Outside Online, "The Curious Case of the Fly-Fishing Feather Thief," 19 Apr. 2018
The season ended with the Rocinante’s crew on Jupiter’s moon Ganymede, desperately trying to track down a Protogen researcher as a battle between Earth and Martian forces broke out around them.

— andrew liptak, The Verge, "Syfy’s The Expanse is back: here’s what you need to know to get caught up," 12 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'break out.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of break out

before 12th century

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

break out Synonyms

Synonyms

blaze (up), burst (forth), erupt, explode, flame, flare (up);

Related Words

rocket, skyrocket;

balloon, burgeon (also bourgeon), mount, multiply, mushroom, proliferate, snowball, swell, wax;

blow up, detonate, touch off;

BREAKOUT Defined for English Language Learners

breakout

noun

Definition of breakout for English Language Learners

: an escape from a prison, jail, etc.

breakout

adjective

Definition of breakout for English Language Learners

: having, causing, or marked by sudden and great success that comes usually after a time without much success

Medical Dictionary

breakout

noun break·out \ ˈbrā-ˌkau̇t \

medical Definition of breakout

: an eruption or inflammation of the skin

This is especially true for those who have acne and are desperate to stop breakouts without taking prescription antibiotics …
—Stacie Stukin, The Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2007

Because stress can throw your hormones out of balance, it can make normal sebaceous glands produce oil at an increased rate, causing breakouts.
—Harper's Bazaar, May 1981