breast

1 of 2

noun

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
breasted adjective

breast

2 of 2

verb

breasted; breasting; breasts

transitive verb

1
: to contend with resolutely : confront
breasting the waves
2
chiefly British : climb, ascend
3
: to thrust the chest against
the sprinter breasted the tape

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
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Noun
However, Jones always intended for the work to be about life-threatening illnesses more broadly — about HIV/AIDS, yes, but also about breast cancer and cystic fibrosis, too. Michael Cuby, Them, 29 Oct. 2024 At the premiere, the Boy Meets World alum also opened up about other ways that breast cancer has impacted her life. Catherine Santino, People.com, 29 Oct. 2024
Verb
How can breast cancer support groups help patients and survivors? Sam Manzella, Flow Space, 30 Sep. 2024 Advertisement Cronin doesn’t feel like a marathoner who has breasted the tape so much as one in the middle of a race. Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for breast 

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

Dictionary Entries Near breast

Cite this Entry

“Breast.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/breast. Accessed 11 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

breast

1 of 2 noun
1
: 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
breasted adjective

breast

2 of 2 verb
: to face or oppose bravely : confront
breasted the waves
breast a storm

Medical Definition

breast

noun
1
: 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

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