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

Keep scrolling for more

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

The best way to broach the subject depends on the person. — Brittany Risher, SELF, "12 Things to Do When You Know Someone You Love Isn't 'Fine'," 18 Aug. 2018 The idea was first broached by new FIFA President Gianni Infantino and became a key campaign pledge. — Mark Zeigler, sandiegouniontribune.com, "The World Cup works fine with 32 teams, but FIFA is about to ruin it," 13 July 2018 Trump’s former lawyer, John Dowd, reportedly broached the idea of a pardon with Manafort’s lawyer before he was indicted in October. — Margaret Hartmann, Daily Intelligencer, "If Mueller Is Ever Going to Flip Manafort, Now Seems Like the Time," 5 June 2018 Dowd broached the idea with lawyers for both of the advisers, Flynn and Manafort, according to people with knowledge of the discussions. — Michael S. Schmidt, Anchorage Daily News, "Mueller has dozens of inquiries for Trump in broad quest on Russia ties and obstruction," 1 May 2018 Wilensky, a widely-respected health care economist and former government official, broached one of the most significant big-picture questions about medicine in her presentation: Is the private or public sector better at nudging progress? — Sy Mukherjee, Fortune, "An All-Star Panel Tackles Trump's Drug Price Plan, Innovation in Health Care—And More," 16 May 2018 During their conversation, Trump broached the idea that Putin could visit the White House, something the Russian leader has not done since 2005. — Andrew E. Kramer, BostonGlobe.com, "Trump, Putin to hold summit, officials say," 27 June 2018 Warikoo in our conversation broached the idea of a lottery system into which Harvard would feed all applicants who meet certain criteria, establishing weights for particular categories. — Alia Wong, The Atlantic, "Harvard's Impossible Personality Test," 19 June 2018 Executives at both companies broach the idea that the merger was singled out for antitrust enforcement because of [Trump’s] animosity toward Time Warner unit CNN. — Heather Long, Washington Post, "The Finance 202: The Fed will likely raise interest rates today. But will it weigh in on Trump's trade war?," 13 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Executive Director Angela Lang said BLOC began by asking black Milwaukeeans about local issues such as speed bumps before broaching electoral politics. — Wayne Lawrence For The Wall Street Journal, WSJ, "For Senate Success, Democrats Must Regain Obama-Era Black Support," 25 Oct. 2018 But though the show broached political topics and let Mike wave his conservative flag, its focus was almost never on politics. — Todd Vanderwerff, Vox, "Last Man Standing perfectly encapsulates the 2010s, for better and for worse," 29 Sep. 2018 Warikoo in our conversation broached the idea of a lottery system into which Harvard would feed all applicants who meet certain criteria, establishing weights for particular categories. — Alia Wong, The Atlantic, "Harvard's Impossible Personality Test," 19 June 2018 Trump’s former lawyer, John Dowd, reportedly broached the idea of a pardon with Manafort’s lawyer before he was indicted in October. — Margaret Hartmann, Daily Intelligencer, "If Mueller Is Ever Going to Flip Manafort, Now Seems Like the Time," 5 June 2018 But the irrelevance of wins has never been more telling than when broaching the subject of Colon surpassing Marichal. — John Shea, SFChronicle.com, "Celebrating Juan Marichal, who fell below Bartolo Colon in career wins," 22 June 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 Cremeens broached the issue last year with Elgin Mayor Dave Kaptain, an old school friend. — Rafael Guerrero, Elgin Courier-News, "End of ice cream truck ban in Elgin brings out excited customers of all ages," 19 May 2018 Kanye West certainly isn’t the first to broach the issue of slavery. — Dahleen Glanton, chicagotribune.com, "Kanye's ignorant comments are just the latest to diminish slavery's atrocities," 2 May 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

Keep scrolling for more