broken

adjective

bro·​ken ˈbrō-kən 

1

: violently separated into parts : shattered

broken windows

2

: damaged or altered by or as if by breaking (see break entry 1): such as

a

: having undergone or been subjected to fracture

a broken leg

b

: not working properly

a broken camera

c

of land surfaces : being irregular, interrupted, or full of obstacles

a long broken ridge

d

: violated by transgression : not kept or honored

a broken promise

e

: discontinuous, interrupted

a broken sleep

f

: disrupted by change

g

of a tulip flower : having an irregular, streaked, or blotched pattern especially from virus infection

3

a

: made weak or infirm

his old, broken body

b

: subdued completely : crushed, sorrowful

a broken heart

a broken spirit

c

: bankrupt

d

: reduced in rank

was broken from sergeant to private

4

a

: cut off : disconnected

spoke a few broken words

b

: imperfectly spoken or written

broken English

5

: not complete or full

a broken bale of hay

6

: disunited by divorce, separation, or desertion of one parent

children from broken homes

a broken family

brokenly adverb

brokenness

ˈbrō-kə(n)-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• busted
• fractured
• fragmented
• shattered
• smashed

Examples of broken in a Sentence

The street was covered with broken glass.

a broken vase that could not be repaired

Recent Examples on the Web

After all, it’s been decades (word of advice: don’t mention how long her career has been) that she’s racked up a steady stream of chart-toppers and broken records. —Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 18 Nov. 2023

Since the show debuted on the streaming service, it's gained a new audience and broken records. —Stephanie Petit, Peoplemag, 17 Nov. 2023

The health care system for the elderly is neglected, broken and inadequate to meet any demands, even the basic needs. —Jordan Rau, New York Times, 14 Nov. 2023

The musical will tell the story of Jesse, a successful businesswoman, mother and wife who is hiding a broken heart. —Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Nov. 2023

But the reactions at work can also burn the scalp, and the broken skin is then vulnerable to other potentially harmful ingredients that these products may contain, such as parabens and phthalates. —Syris Valentine, Scientific American, 14 Nov. 2023

Sunrise had occurred after the fire’s start, so light focused through broken glass couldn’t have been a cause. —John Riha, Discover Magazine, 12 Nov. 2023

The deputy suffered a broken pelvis and remains hospitalized but is expected to survive, Moore said. —James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2023

But this has been exacerbated by a broken political system. —Fortune Editors, Fortune, 9 Nov. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English brocen, from past participle of brecan to break

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing broken

• broken-field
• broken home
• wind-broken
• broken-down
• broken-winded
• like a broken record
• sounds like a broken record

• broken-field
• broken home
• wind-broken
• broken-down
• broken-winded
• like a broken record
• sounds like a broken record

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Kids Definition

broken

adjective

bro·​ken ˈbrō-kən 

1

: shattered into pieces

broken glass

2

a

: rough entry 1 sense 1a, uneven

broken terrain

b

: having gaps or breaks

a broken line

3

: not kept

a broken promise

4

: subdued completely

a broken spirit

5

: imperfectly spoken

broken English

6

: having undergone fracture

a broken leg

7

: having one parent missing (as because of divorce)

children from broken homes

brokenly adverb

brokenness

-kən-(n)əs 

noun

Medical Definition

broken

adjective

bro·​ken ˈbrō-kən 

: having undergone or been subjected to fracture

a broken leg

Legal Definition

broken

past participle of break