plural breasts
1
: either one of the two soft parts on a woman's chest that produce milk when she has a baby
—often used before another noun
breast cancer
breast tissue/milk
2
a
old-fashioned + literary
: the front part of a person's body between the neck and the stomach : chest
She clasped the child to her breast. [=bosom]
My breast heaved with emotion.
b
literary
: the chest thought of as the place where emotions are felt
Dark thoughts lurked within his breast. [=heart]
3
a
: the front part of a bird's body below the neck
a bird with an orange breast
b
: meat from the front part of a bird's or animal's body
I ordered the grilled breast of chicken.
a few slices of turkey breast
breast of lamb/veal
Do you prefer a breast or a leg?
4
: the part of a piece of clothing that covers a person's chest
the breast of a jacket
—usually used before another nounHe kept a watch in his breast pocket.
breasts; breasted; breasting
formal
: to push against or move through (something) with your chest forward
I was at the race's finish line to see the winner breast the tape.
—sometimes used figurativelya boat breasting the waves
Cite this Entry
“Breast.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/breast. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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