to change (as a secret message) from code into ordinary language
Alan Turing and the Bletchley Park mathematicians broke the Enigma code being used by the Nazis
a momentary halt in an activity
there was a brief break after the first movement as the doors to the concert hall were opened and the latecomers were allowed in
a favorable combination of circumstances, time, and place
in classic fashion, her big break came when, as an understudy, she took over for an ailing star
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Recent Examples of break
Verb
Barriers are indeed being broken, and with an eye on the future, rejuvenation of the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia could be next for the Lariani.—David Ferrini, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025 The 30-year-old international affairs student wasn’t accused of breaking any laws during the protests at Columbia.—Holly Ramer, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2025
Noun
It’s nestled deep in the Legacy Garden and offers a break from walking while enjoying the outdoors.—Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 20 June 2025 That led to 16 points for Thursday's victors, who had a 22-point advantage at the break.—Bobby Krivitsky, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for break
These attacks don’t just disrupt operations but also expose deeply personal financial information that can fuel identity theft, fraud and long-term reputational damage.
—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
21 June 2025
Globally, heatwaves, droughts, and extreme weather are disrupting supply chains, inflating food prices, and undermining financial stability.
Without any consequences, this autocratic politician will continue to push the limits of his authority beyond the breaking point until someone forces him to stop.
—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
29 June 2025
The state will become the second following Utah to stop public utilities from fluoridating water.
—
Kairi Lowery,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 June 2025
Rafael Devers did not pause to admire his first home run as a San Francisco Giant.
—
Andrew Baggarly,
New York Times,
22 June 2025
Following those comments, Trump's administration directed immigration officials to largely pause raids on farms, hotels, restaurants and meatpacking plants.
While pestilence crept over the walls of cities and the countryside fell into desolation—many foreign conquerors of Europe knew how to fight and plunder but not to plow or sow—the monks preserved words.
—
Bernd Roeck
June 16,
Literary Hub,
16 June 2025
For the San Diegans who’ve plowed serious coin into SDFC matches, the event will pose a challenge.
—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 June 2025
Its Senate passage could come as soon as Monday after days of delay due to the parliamentarian, a nonpartisan Senate rules referee, determining that dozens of provisions violated the Byrd Rule.
—
Ramsey Touchberry,
The Washington Examiner,
29 June 2025
The family of 17-year-old Victor Perez, an autistic teenager who was shot nine times by police officers in Idaho earlier this year, is suing the Pocatello Police Department (PPD) over claims that officers violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
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