broach

noun

\ ˈbrōch

Definition of broach

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : brooch wore a lovely broach on her lapel

2 : any of various pointed or tapered tools, implements, or parts: such as

a : a spit for roasting meat

b : a tool for tapping casks

c : a cutting tool for removing material from metal or plastic to shape an outside surface or a hole

broach

verb (1)

broached; broaching; broaches

Definition of broach (Entry 2 of 3)

transitive verb

1a : to pierce (something, such as a cask) in order to draw the contents also : to open for the first time

b : to open up or break into (a mine, stores, etc.)

2 : to shape or enlarge (a hole) with a broach (see broach entry 1 sense 2c)

3a : to make known for the first time

b : to open up (a subject) for discussion a good time to broach the subject

intransitive verb

: to break the surface from below the whale broached

broach

verb (2)

broached; broaching; broaches

Definition of broach (Entry 3 of 3)

intransitive verb

nautical : to veer or yaw dangerously so as to lie broadside to the waves —often used with to Our ship broached to.

Other Words from broach Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about broach

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Choose the Right Synonym for broach

Verb (1)

express, vent, utter, voice, broach, air mean to make known what one thinks or feels. express suggests an impulse to reveal in words, gestures, actions, or what one creates or produces. expressed her feelings in music vent stresses a strong inner compulsion to express especially in words. a tirade venting his frustration utter implies the use of the voice not necessarily in articulate speech. utter a groan voice does not necessarily imply vocal utterance but does imply expression or formulation in words. an editorial voicing their concerns broach adds the implication of disclosing for the first time something long thought over or reserved for a suitable occasion. broached the subject of a divorce air implies an exposing or parading of one's views often in order to gain relief or sympathy or attention. publicly airing their differences

Examples of broach in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Both Victoria, 40, and Sofia wore matching broaches on their left sides. — Dana Rose Falcone, PEOPLE.com, "Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia Prove They Are the Sexiest Royal Wedding Guests Ever," 4 June 2018 The 70-year-old wore a simple cream-colored coat with a butterfly broach, her signature pearl necklace, and matching earrings. — Michelle Manetti, Good Housekeeping, "Camilla Parker Bowles Just Wore the Most Eccentric Hat We've Ever Seen," 16 May 2018 Think grandma's broach or a piece of vintage family furniture that has been sitting in the attic for ages. — Sunset, "11 Creative Vintage Wedding Decor Ideas," 22 Jan. 2018 Then add gemstone clips or use a bobby pin to attach your favorite broach. — Kristin Koch, Seventeen, "42 Amazing New Ways to Wear Braids," 1 Feb. 2018 Elsewhere, a neckline on a pale blue top plunged daringly and was given a tasteful lift with a broach detail under the bust. — Patrick Cooley, cleveland.com, "Rusted Root coming to Cleveland," 6 July 2017 Elsewhere, a neckline on a pale blue top plunged daringly and was given a tasteful lift with a broach detail under the bust. — Patrick Cooley, cleveland.com, "Rusted Root coming to Cleveland," 6 July 2017 Her trademark hats, scarves and broaches have long gone missing. — Phillip Morris, cleveland.com, "Judge Jean Capers will attend college commencements long into the future: Phillip Morris," 21 June 2017 For other productions, the company routinely provides swords and daggers, leather items, broaches, cauldrons, kettles and locks. — Jason Overdorf, USA TODAY, "Anyone need a suit of armor? Go to India," 20 May 2017

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

But Jeff believes that parents trust him to broach difficult topics with age-appropriate honesty and compassion, even though his mounting lies by omission are sure to sabotage any chance of reuniting with his estranged wife, Jill (Judy Greer). — Jenna Marotta, Vogue, "In Kidding, Jim Carrey Shines in a Familiar Type of Existential Drama," 7 Sep. 2018 The pinnacle—consciousness—is not broached until the last (and shortest) chapter. — Diana Gitig, Ars Technica, "Understanding the Brain is a catalog of all we don’t know about the brain," 10 Nov. 2018 Before Harris, plenty of academics had broached the subject of values in technology design. — Arielle Pardes, WIRED, "Google and the Rise of "Digital Wellbeing"," 9 May 2018 The idea was broached of using prosthetics on his actors to find a disturbing-enough expression — think Heath Ledger or Jack Nicholson's iconic takes on the Joker. — Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, "'Truth or Dare': How a wicked smile became an unnerving horror treat," 12 Apr. 2018 Variety picked up the story Tuesday, as Senator Maggie Hassan once again broached the issue and FTC chairman Joseph Simons pledged to look into it. — Hayden Dingman, PCWorld, "This week in games: Obsidian teases a game reveal, the FTC pledges to look into loot boxes," 30 Nov. 2018 Videos by Saudi rappers that explore social themes such as drug use and official mismanagement—topics rarely broached in mainstream Saudi entertainment—have been watched millions of times on YouTube. — Donna Abdulaziz, WSJ, "For Saudi Arabia’s Growing Hip-Hop Scene, It’s Tricky," 10 Aug. 2018 Trump did not even mention the possibility of narrow legislation to deal with family separation, much less broach the idea of ending the crisis by rescinding Sessions’ order. — Ed Kilgore, Daily Intelligencer, "Is Trump Actually Going to Do Anything About Family Separation?," 20 June 2018 Jackie first broached the idea to her family in 1956 after giving birth to a stillborn daughter, informally named Arabella. — Tierney Mcafee, PEOPLE.com, "Jackie Kennedy Knew About JFK's Affairs and Considered Divorcing Him: 'She Wasn't Naïve'," 26 Jan. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

The pinnacle—consciousness—is not broached until the last (and shortest) chapter. — Diana Gitig, Ars Technica, "Understanding the Brain is a catalog of all we don’t know about the brain," 10 Nov. 2018 Neither the vice president’s office nor the Chinese broached the idea of Mr. Pence meeting with Mr. Xi during the summit in Papua New Guinea, White House officials said. — Rachel Pannett, WSJ, "Trump Skips Asia Summits, Fueling Concerns on U.S. Commitment to Region," 14 Nov. 2018 An unnamed sovereign investment fund reached out to Musk in July and broached the idea of taking Tesla private and building a Tesla manufacturing plant in the Middle East, but the talks were vague. — Umair Irfan, Vox, "Elon Musk’s tweet about taking Tesla private has triggered a federal lawsuit," 27 Sep. 2018 Let’s be honest: Money is a tough subject to broach, and for some of us the idea of using money as a tool to influence change can seem greedy or corrupt. — Linda Davis Taylor, SELF, "How to Use Money as an Extension of Your Political Voice," 6 Nov. 2018 Gender, sexuality, identity, and politics can be divisive, difficult topics to broach. — Melissa Kravitz, Condé Nast Traveler, "The 'Texas Chili Queens' Behind the World's First and Only Drag Queen Food Truck," 1 Oct. 2018 If that's the case, do a little research and broach the possibility with her. — Beth Levine, Woman's Day, "Q&A: Tricky Social Dilemmas—Solved," 6 Apr. 2012 The idea was broached of using prosthetics on his actors to find a disturbing-enough expression — think Heath Ledger or Jack Nicholson's iconic takes on the Joker. — Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, "'Truth or Dare': How a wicked smile became an unnerving horror treat," 12 Apr. 2018 That might present some trade-down opportunities, a notion that was broached with Ballard on Wednesday. — Stephen Holder, Indianapolis Star, "Colts take hard stance on Rashaan Melvin, trading down sounds unlikely," 28 Feb. 2018

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

History and Etymology for broach

Noun

Middle English broche "pointed instrument, brooch," borrowed from Anglo-French, "pointed object, brooch, spigot," going back to Vulgar Latin *brocca, noun derivative from feminine of Latin broccus "prominent, projecting," of uncertain origin

Verb (1)

Middle English brochen "to pierce, skewer (meat), tap (a cask), borrowed from Anglo-French brocher "to prick, spur, stab," verbal derivative of broche "pointed object" — more at broach entry 1

Verb (2)

perhaps from broach entry 2

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