breakout

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noun break·out \ˈbrāk-ˌau̇t\

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

During an interview with Variety's Remote Controlled podcast, the creators of HBO's breakout sci-fi drama offered a few hints about what's to come.

— emma dibdin, Harper's BAZAAR, "Westworld Creators Tease An "Ambitious" Season Two," 5 July 2017
At 16, Lorde won over pop fans with her moody lyrics and pop sound on the breakout album Pure Heroine.

— kelsi trinidad, The Cut, "See Lorde’s Style Evolution From Goth to Givenchy," 5 July 2017
Weeks earlier, during a breakout run to the Wimbledon semifinals, Alexandra Stevenson had to face queries on the stunning news that she had been fathered by the basketball legend Julius Erving.

— harvey araton, New York Times, "At Wimbledon, Venus Williams’s Poker Face Is Contorted by Emotion," 3 July 2017
Smith has learned from his father, learned last year from another top-20 pick at tight end in O.J. Howard and is now in line for a breakout sophomore season with the Crimson Tide.

— matt zenitz, AL.com, "Promising Alabama tight end following in father's footsteps," 3 July 2017
While there’s seemingly never been more social media stars, Ryan was one of the original YouTube breakouts.

— derek lawrence, EW.com, "Watch the late Stevie Ryan's most notable YouTube videos," 3 July 2017
LSU is also in the mix for Texas small forward Kaden Archie who has had a breakout summer on the circuit.

— james smith, NOLA.com, "LSU targets Ja'Marr Chase, Terrace Marshall, Pat Surtain and more in 1-on-1's at Nike Opening," 3 July 2017
High jump: Jordan Anderson, Valparaiso, sophomore: Followed up his breakout freshman season with a jump of 6-4 at state, finishing in a five-way tie for eighth.

— dave melton, Post-Tribune, "Announcing the Post-Tribune 2017 Boys Track All-Area Team," 27 June 2017
Regardless, Ira Belgrade, an assistant casting director, spoke to the book’s author, Becky Aikman, about the struggle to cast the highly covetable part of the handsome drifter J.D., which would become Pitt’s breakout role.

— vanityfair.com, "Robert Downey Jr. Was Two Inches Away From Landing the Iconic Thelma & Louise Role," 27 June 2017

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

breakout

adjective break·out

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

With smart marketing, Nyoni's bold fusion of folklore, social comment, magical realism and her own family heritage could even translate into breakout word-of-mouth success akin to the tonally similar Beasts of the Southern Wild.

— stephen dalton, The Hollywood Reporter, "'I Am Not a Witch': Film Review | Cannes 2017," 25 May 2017

First Known Use of breakout

1960

BREAKOUT Defined for English Language Learners

breakout

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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

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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