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

fast-break

ˈfas(t)-ˌbrāk 

intransitive verb

Examples of fast break in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

When Karaban ripped the ball out of Wagler’s hands with a little more than four minutes left in the first half and led a fast break that resulted in Mullins’ three-point play, the Huskies were the bullies Wagler had been warned about. —Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026

Oklahoma City's Cason Wallace missed a fast break dunk late in the first half, but Jalen Williams caught the ball on the way down and dunked it with two hands to put the Thunder up 72-52. —ABC News, 5 Apr. 2026

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

Word History

First Known Use

1929, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for fast break

• awake
• backache
• beefsteak
• betake
• cheesecake
• cupcake
• daybreak
• earthquake
• eastlake
• forsake
• handshake
• headache