bust

\ ˈbəst

Definition of bust

(Entry 1 of 4)

1 art : a sculptured representation of the upper part of the human figure including the head and neck and usually part of the shoulders and breast has a bust of Abraham Lincoln in his office

2 : the upper part of the human torso between neck and waist especially : the breasts of a woman her bust size

bust

verb

busted also bust; busting

Definition of bust (Entry 2 of 4)

transitive verb

1a : to break or smash especially with force bust a window also : to make inoperative busted my watch

b : to bring an end to : break up helped bust trusts — Newsweek —often used with upbetter not try to bust up his happy marriage — Forbes

c : to ruin financially the game of cheaters, which has busted more men than blackjack— Arthur Mayse

d : exhaust, wear out —used in phrases like bust one's butt to describe making a strenuous effort

e : to tease or give a hard time to —often used in phrases like bust one's chopsI'm just busting your chops.

2 : tame bronco busting

3 : demote busted them to the bottom of the seniority list — Time

4 slang

a : arrest busted for carrying guns— Saul Gottlieb

b : raid busted the apartment

5 : hit, slug felt like busting him in the face

6 informal : to execute or perform (a difficult, elaborate, or acrobatic movement, as when dancing) bust a dance move Hot Hot Heat's jittery, caffeinated rhythms and disco grooves are helping persuade punk kids to bust a move …— Christian Hoard

intransitive verb

1 : to go broke

2a : burst laughing fit to bust

b : break down Her camera busted.

3a card games : to lose at cards by exceeding a limit (such as the count of 21 in blackjack)

b poker : to fail to complete a straight (see straight entry 4 sense 3) or flush

bust

noun (2)

Definition of bust (Entry 3 of 4)

1a : spree

b : a hearty drinking session a beer bust

2a : a complete failure : flop