plural breakups
1
: the end of a relationship, marriage, etc.
Money problems often lead to marital breakups.
She's just gone through a bad/painful breakup with her boyfriend.
He began drinking heavily following the breakup of his marriage.
a couple heading for marital breakup
2
: the separation of something into smaller parts or pieces
What caused the breakup of the Roman Empire?
the breakup of a monopoly
the breakup of an asteroid as it hits the Earth's atmosphere
Cite this Entry
“Breakup.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/breakup. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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