1
: either of the pair of mammary glands extending from the front of the chest in pubescent and adult human females and some other mammals
also
: either of the analogous but rudimentary organs of the male chest especially when enlarged
2
a
: the fore or ventral part of the body between the neck and the abdomen
b
: the part of an article of clothing covering the breast
3
: the seat of emotion and thought : bosom
4
a
: something (such as a front, swelling, or curving part) resembling a breast
b
breasted; breasting; breasts
1
: to contend with resolutely : confront
breasting the waves
3
: to thrust the chest against
the sprinter breasted the tape
Synonyms
Examples of breast in a Sentence
Noun
My breast heaved with emotion.
a bird with an orange breast
I ordered the grilled breast of chicken.
a few slices of turkey breast
Do you prefer a breast or a leg?
Verb
I was at the race's finish line to see the winner breast the tape.
breasted the diagnosis of cancer with fortitude and optimism
See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Lauren Levy, Parents, 24 Nov. 2023
The wrongful termination lawsuit was brought by Dr. Benjamin Neel, a cancer biologist whose laboratory at NYU Langone conducts research on breast cancer, ovarian cancer and treatments for leukemia.
—Joseph Goldstein, New York Times, 24 Nov. 2023
Dear Amy: During the pandemic, I was diagnosed and treated for breast cancer.
—Amy Dickinson, Washington Post, 24 Nov. 2023
In late June, a representative for the Duchess of York told PEOPLE she was diagnosed with an early form of breast cancer at a prescheduled mammogram and underwent surgery.
—Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 24 Nov. 2023
Remove the fatback, increase the oven temperature to 375 degrees, and continue roasting for 1 hour to brown the breast.
—The Editors, Field & Stream, 23 Nov. 2023
Explore See latest videos, charts and news Nadine Coyle, Kimberley Walsh, Nicole Roberts and Cheryl revealed that their world tour will be in celebration of the group’s late fifth member, Sarah Harding, who died after a battle with breast cancer in 2021.
—Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 22 Nov. 2023
But unfortunately, the female breast is still attracting a lot of criticism in 2023, especially on social media.
—Lea Hüttinger, Glamour, 20 Nov. 2023
Marie-Céleste, who was hoping her breast cancer was in remission, played nurse, attending to my parents’ every need.
—Lucy Sante, The New Yorker, 11 Nov. 2023
Alyson Sheppard, Robb Report, 21 July 2023
Here’s an easy pot sticker recipe that can be made with pigeon or any number of other game meats.
8 pigeons, breasted¼ cup ginger, minced
2 eggs, beaten
1 head Napa cabbage, sliced
2 bunches of scallions, thinly sliced
2 carrots, julienned
2 Tbsp.
—Cosmo Genova, Field & Stream, 30 Apr. 2020
On Plum Island, there were 16 Northern shovelers, eight red-grebes, two rough-legged hawks, and a yellow-breasted chat.
—BostonGlobe.com, 23 Dec. 2019
Few people pluck snows, and the birds are typically breasted.
—Brad Fenson, Outdoor Life, 2 Apr. 2020
From the menswear brand's Winter 2019 collection, the monochrome look consisted of a double-breasted jacket over a matching shirt, skinny tie, and trousers.
—Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, 7 Sep. 2019
In fact, business suits with ties were few and far between on Milan runways, while jackets took on an array of shapes beyond the traditional notched lapel or double-breasted looks.
—Washington Post, 13 Jan. 2020
Sandwiched in between her husband and her son, Victoria grounded the trio of tailored looks in a white double-breasted ensemble which was deliberately oversized.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2019
The black pleated pants, the black bell sleeve turtleneck sweater, and the gingham plaid double breasted coat.
—Katie Intner, PEOPLE.com, 7 Nov. 2019
See More
Noun
One of our top breast pumps, the Elvie Stride, is nearly $70 off, while the Willow 3.0 Wearable Breast Pump is $125 off.
—Lauren Levy, Parents, 24 Nov. 2023
The wrongful termination lawsuit was brought by Dr. Benjamin Neel, a cancer biologist whose laboratory at NYU Langone conducts research on breast cancer, ovarian cancer and treatments for leukemia.
—Joseph Goldstein, New York Times, 24 Nov. 2023
Dear Amy: During the pandemic, I was diagnosed and treated for breast cancer.
—Amy Dickinson, Washington Post, 24 Nov. 2023
In late June, a representative for the Duchess of York told PEOPLE she was diagnosed with an early form of breast cancer at a prescheduled mammogram and underwent surgery.
—Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 24 Nov. 2023
Remove the fatback, increase the oven temperature to 375 degrees, and continue roasting for 1 hour to brown the breast.
—The Editors, Field & Stream, 23 Nov. 2023
Explore See latest videos, charts and news Nadine Coyle, Kimberley Walsh, Nicole Roberts and Cheryl revealed that their world tour will be in celebration of the group’s late fifth member, Sarah Harding, who died after a battle with breast cancer in 2021.
—Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 22 Nov. 2023
But unfortunately, the female breast is still attracting a lot of criticism in 2023, especially on social media.
—Lea Hüttinger, Glamour, 20 Nov. 2023
Marie-Céleste, who was hoping her breast cancer was in remission, played nurse, attending to my parents’ every need.
—Lucy Sante, The New Yorker, 11 Nov. 2023
Verb
Duck is presented two ways, legs deboned and braised and breasts dry-aged and crisped, and paired with a black garlic sauce, mushroom jus and scallion oil.
—Alyson Sheppard, Robb Report, 21 July 2023
Here’s an easy pot sticker recipe that can be made with pigeon or any number of other game meats.
8 pigeons, breasted¼ cup ginger, minced
2 eggs, beaten
1 head Napa cabbage, sliced
2 bunches of scallions, thinly sliced
2 carrots, julienned
2 Tbsp.
—Cosmo Genova, Field & Stream, 30 Apr. 2020
On Plum Island, there were 16 Northern shovelers, eight red-grebes, two rough-legged hawks, and a yellow-breasted chat.
—BostonGlobe.com, 23 Dec. 2019
Few people pluck snows, and the birds are typically breasted.
—Brad Fenson, Outdoor Life, 2 Apr. 2020
From the menswear brand's Winter 2019 collection, the monochrome look consisted of a double-breasted jacket over a matching shirt, skinny tie, and trousers.
—Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, 7 Sep. 2019
In fact, business suits with ties were few and far between on Milan runways, while jackets took on an array of shapes beyond the traditional notched lapel or double-breasted looks.
—Washington Post, 13 Jan. 2020
Sandwiched in between her husband and her son, Victoria grounded the trio of tailored looks in a white double-breasted ensemble which was deliberately oversized.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2019
The black pleated pants, the black bell sleeve turtleneck sweater, and the gingham plaid double breasted coat.
—Katie Intner, PEOPLE.com, 7 Nov. 2019
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'breast.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English brest, from Old English brēost; akin to Old High German brust breast, Old Irish brú belly, Russian bryukho
First Known Use
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1578, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of breast was
before the 12th century
Phrases Containing breast
Dictionary Entries Near breast
Cite this Entry
“Breast.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/breast. Accessed 30 Nov. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
breast
1 of 2 noun1
: either of two milk-producing glands extending from the front of the chest in the human female and some other mammals
also
: mammary gland
2
: the front part of the body between the neck and the abdomen
3
: the center of emotion
4
: something resembling a breast
breast
2 of 2 verb
: to face or oppose bravely : confront
breasted the waves
breast a storm
Medical Definition
breast
noun1
: either of the pair of mammary glands extending from the front of the chest in pubescent and adult females of humans and some other mammals
also
: either of the analogous but rudimentary organs of the male chest especially when enlarged
2
: the fore or ventral part of the body between the neck and the abdomen
More from Merriam-Webster on breast
Nglish: Translation of breast for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of breast for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about breast
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share