1
: either of the pair of mammary glands extending from the front of the chest in pubescent and adult human females and some other mammals
also
: either of the analogous but rudimentary organs of the male chest especially when enlarged
2
a
: the fore or ventral part of the body between the neck and the abdomen
b
: the part of an article of clothing covering the breast
3
: the seat of emotion and thought : bosom
4
a
: something (such as a front, swelling, or curving part) resembling a breast
b
breasted; breasting; breasts
1
: to contend with resolutely : confront
breasting the waves
3
: to thrust the chest against
the sprinter breasted the tape
Synonyms
Examples of breast in a Sentence
Noun
My breast heaved with emotion.
a bird with an orange breast
I ordered the grilled breast of chicken.
a few slices of turkey breast
Do you prefer a breast or a leg?
Verb
I was at the race's finish line to see the winner breast the tape.
breasted the diagnosis of cancer with fortitude and optimism
Recent Examples on the Web
Nicole Fell, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Apr. 2024
Both non-profits and government programs are working towards increasing preventative breast cancer screenings among low-income and uninsured women.
—USA TODAY, 11 Apr. 2024
Among women, the most common forms of cancer are breast cancer, cervix cancer, and ovarian cancer.
—Astha Rajvanshi, TIME, 10 Apr. 2024
Here are 5 other clues A mammogram is an X-ray picture of the breast that doctors use to look for early signs of breast cancer, according to the CDC.
—Mira Cheng, CNN, 9 Apr. 2024
The actor himself wore one of the special robes, which had with the number five on the breast, to mark having also hosted the show five times.
—Tabitha Parent, Peoplemag, 7 Apr. 2024
One common gap in spending is around breast cancer screenings.
—Fiorella Valdesolo, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2024
Members held seminars to train Black women for corporate management positions, launched drives to fight breast cancer and cardiovascular disease, and promoted healthy dieting and exercise programs for Black families.
—Keith L. Alexander, Washington Post, 30 Mar. 2024
Actress Olivia Munn announced in a March 13, 2024, Instagram post that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023, and credited Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi with calculating her disease risk and saving her life.
—Lindsey Leake, Fortune Well, 28 Mar. 2024
Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 26 Sep. 2023
Duck is presented two ways, legs deboned and braised and breasts dry-aged and crisped, and paired with a black garlic sauce, mushroom jus and scallion oil.
—Alyson Sheppard, Robb Report, 21 July 2023
Here’s an easy pot sticker recipe that can be made with pigeon or any number of other game meats.
8 pigeons, breasted¼ cup ginger, minced
2 eggs, beaten
1 head Napa cabbage, sliced
2 bunches of scallions, thinly sliced
2 carrots, julienned
2 Tbsp.
—Cosmo Genova, Field & Stream, 30 Apr. 2020
On Plum Island, there were 16 Northern shovelers, eight red-grebes, two rough-legged hawks, and a yellow-breasted chat.
—BostonGlobe.com, 23 Dec. 2019
Few people pluck snows, and the birds are typically breasted.
—Brad Fenson, Outdoor Life, 2 Apr. 2020
From the menswear brand's Winter 2019 collection, the monochrome look consisted of a double-breasted jacket over a matching shirt, skinny tie, and trousers.
—Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, 7 Sep. 2019
In fact, business suits with ties were few and far between on Milan runways, while jackets took on an array of shapes beyond the traditional notched lapel or double-breasted looks.
—Washington Post, 13 Jan. 2020
Sandwiched in between her husband and her son, Victoria grounded the trio of tailored looks in a white double-breasted ensemble which was deliberately oversized.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2019
Noun
The actress said her aunt is a breast cancer survivor who has been cancer-free for 18 years.
—Nicole Fell, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Apr. 2024
Both non-profits and government programs are working towards increasing preventative breast cancer screenings among low-income and uninsured women.
—USA TODAY, 11 Apr. 2024
Among women, the most common forms of cancer are breast cancer, cervix cancer, and ovarian cancer.
—Astha Rajvanshi, TIME, 10 Apr. 2024
Here are 5 other clues A mammogram is an X-ray picture of the breast that doctors use to look for early signs of breast cancer, according to the CDC.
—Mira Cheng, CNN, 9 Apr. 2024
The actor himself wore one of the special robes, which had with the number five on the breast, to mark having also hosted the show five times.
—Tabitha Parent, Peoplemag, 7 Apr. 2024
One common gap in spending is around breast cancer screenings.
—Fiorella Valdesolo, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2024
Members held seminars to train Black women for corporate management positions, launched drives to fight breast cancer and cardiovascular disease, and promoted healthy dieting and exercise programs for Black families.
—Keith L. Alexander, Washington Post, 30 Mar. 2024
Actress Olivia Munn announced in a March 13, 2024, Instagram post that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023, and credited Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi with calculating her disease risk and saving her life.
—Lindsey Leake, Fortune Well, 28 Mar. 2024
Verb
So, grab one of Symone's Diana Ross breasts as a floatation device and hitch a ride on the S.S. Muse, because EW's BINGE podcast is back, back, back again.
—Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 26 Sep. 2023
Duck is presented two ways, legs deboned and braised and breasts dry-aged and crisped, and paired with a black garlic sauce, mushroom jus and scallion oil.
—Alyson Sheppard, Robb Report, 21 July 2023
Here’s an easy pot sticker recipe that can be made with pigeon or any number of other game meats.
8 pigeons, breasted¼ cup ginger, minced
2 eggs, beaten
1 head Napa cabbage, sliced
2 bunches of scallions, thinly sliced
2 carrots, julienned
2 Tbsp.
—Cosmo Genova, Field & Stream, 30 Apr. 2020
On Plum Island, there were 16 Northern shovelers, eight red-grebes, two rough-legged hawks, and a yellow-breasted chat.
—BostonGlobe.com, 23 Dec. 2019
Few people pluck snows, and the birds are typically breasted.
—Brad Fenson, Outdoor Life, 2 Apr. 2020
From the menswear brand's Winter 2019 collection, the monochrome look consisted of a double-breasted jacket over a matching shirt, skinny tie, and trousers.
—Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, 7 Sep. 2019
In fact, business suits with ties were few and far between on Milan runways, while jackets took on an array of shapes beyond the traditional notched lapel or double-breasted looks.
—Washington Post, 13 Jan. 2020
Sandwiched in between her husband and her son, Victoria grounded the trio of tailored looks in a white double-breasted ensemble which was deliberately oversized.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2019
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'breast.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English brest, from Old English brēost; akin to Old High German brust breast, Old Irish brú belly, Russian bryukho
First Known Use
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1578, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of breast was
before the 12th century
Phrases Containing breast
Dictionary Entries Near breast
Cite this Entry
“Breast.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/breast. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
breast
1 of 2 noun1
: either of two milk-producing glands extending from the front of the chest in the human female and some other mammals
also
: mammary gland
2
: the front part of the body between the neck and the abdomen
3
: the center of emotion
4
: something resembling a breast
breast
2 of 2 verb
: to face or oppose bravely : confront
breasted the waves
breast a storm
Medical Definition
breast
noun1
: either of the pair of mammary glands extending from the front of the chest in pubescent and adult females of humans and some other mammals
also
: either of the analogous but rudimentary organs of the male chest especially when enlarged
2
: the fore or ventral part of the body between the neck and the abdomen
More from Merriam-Webster on breast
Nglish: Translation of breast for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of breast for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about breast
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