fast break
noun
: a quick offensive drive toward a goal (as in basketball) in an attempt to score before the opponent's defense is set up
Examples of fast break in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals, LeBron James chased down Warriors forward Andre Iguodala on the fast break to emphatically block his layup from behind.
—
Megan Armstrong, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
Two days off between games left James looking spry, with lob dunks and dunks on the fast break contributing to his 21 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds.
—Senior Editor, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026
If Michigan wants to set the pace of the game with fast play and scoring off fast breaks, Texas has to do it first and more often.
—Zoe Collins Rath, Austin American Statesman, 30 Mar. 2026
The Longhorns scored 26 points off turnovers and outscored the Wildcats 20-0 on the fast break.
—Myah Taylor, Dallas Morning News, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fast break
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Megan Armstrong, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
Two days off between games left James looking spry, with lob dunks and dunks on the fast break contributing to his 21 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds.
—Senior Editor, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026
If Michigan wants to set the pace of the game with fast play and scoring off fast breaks, Texas has to do it first and more often.
—Zoe Collins Rath, Austin American Statesman, 30 Mar. 2026
The Longhorns scored 26 points off turnovers and outscored the Wildcats 20-0 on the fast break.
—Myah Taylor, Dallas Morning News, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fast break
Cite this Entry
“Fast break.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fast%20break. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
