broach

noun

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\ 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.

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Other Words from broach Synonyms 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 With the help of a marker to keep track, count how many pointed ridges the broach has, because any replacement handle will need to match. — Washington Post, 12 July 2021 Van den Berg got hold of a photo of her as a young woman in her white nanny’s uniform, with a crescent chapeau clipped to her blonde hair and a gold broach at her collar. — Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2021 This broach-no-compromise obstructionism has been the strategy of congressional Republicans since the mid-1990s. — Washington Post, 9 Nov. 2020 Baldwin wore a broach from her grandmother, who helped raise her and was featured in the speech. Baldwin praised Biden and Obama for pushing through the Affordable Care Act. — Bill Glauber, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2020 She's dressed in all black and wearing her power broach: the Mace of the Republic, which symbolizes the legislative authority of the House of Representatives. — Channing Hargrove, refinery29.com, 5 Feb. 2020 Here's Pelosi on the House floor with her broach vs a pic of the mace. — Channing Hargrove, refinery29.com, 5 Feb. 2020 Her Majesty is closest to the camera in the image, wearing a white dress accessorized by dresser Angela Kelly with a sapphire and diamond broach, and one of her iconic Launer handbags. — Omid Scobie, Harper's BAZAAR, 3 Jan. 2020 It can be worn in 12 different ways – a necklace, broach, the arrow detaches as a pin, and more and more. — al, 6 Oct. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb But The Daily Wire is prematurely patting itself on the back for changing the landscape and bankrolling conservative movies that creep out of the paracinematic tradition and broach the perimeter of cinema proper. — John Semley, The New Republic, 17 Feb. 2022 While members of the disability community typically have to broach the need for equity, Lachi shares that the Wavy Awards’ organizers came to them. — Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Jan. 2022 Those reverse faults hide underground, and unlike strike-slip faults, may never broach the surface while wreaking havoc from below. — Alka Tripathy-lang, Ars Technica, 12 Mar. 2022 But the chief hopes to begin to be able to broach the topic of mental health with his officers. — Lawrence Andrea, The Indianapolis Star, 1 Mar. 2022 Ipson presented the bill twice on the Senate floor and did not broach the subject of the new building. — Bryan Schott, The Salt Lake Tribune, 27 Jan. 2022 If not, prep with co-workers on what better expectations would look like and broach the topic with your manager together. — Rachel Feintzeig, WSJ, 24 Jan. 2022 Create a mental list and be prepared to broach the subject of competition with each person differently. — Punit Dhillon, Rolling Stone, 29 Dec. 2021 This recent TikTok event at school safety could be an opportunity to show an interest and broach this subject with your kids. — Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 24 Dec. 2021 See More

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.

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First Known Use of broach

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Verb (2)

1699, in the meaning defined above

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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