1
: violently separated into parts : shattered
broken windows
2
: damaged or altered by or as if by breaking (see break entry 1): such as
a
: having undergone or been subjected to fracture
a broken leg
b
: not working properly
a broken camera
c
of land surfaces
: being irregular, interrupted, or full of obstacles
a long broken ridge
d
: violated by transgression : not kept or honored
a broken promise
e
: discontinuous, interrupted
a broken sleep
f
: disrupted by change
g
of a tulip flower
: having an irregular, streaked, or blotched pattern especially from virus infection
3
4
a
: cut off : disconnected
spoke a few broken words
b
: imperfectly spoken or written
broken English
5
: not complete or full
a broken bale of hay
6
: disunited by divorce, separation, or desertion of one parent
children from broken homes
a broken family
brokenly
adverb
Examples of broken in a Sentence
The street was covered with broken glass.
a broken vase that could not be repaired
Recent Examples on the Web
When asked on July 3 about the potential of playing Mookie Betts at second base once Betts returns from a broken hand, Roberts was careful to make no guarantees.
—
Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2024
Research continues to show, however, that any acute injury such as a broken bone, muscle tear, or damage to the joints can cause problems down the line.
—Alice Park, TIME, 20 July 2024
Two months into a historic WNBA season and amidst a flurry of broken records, unprecedented media coverage and incredible growth, it’s been difficult to find even a moment to reflect on a landmark period for the league and women’s sports in general.
—Rebecca Dyer, Sportico.com, 19 July 2024
While elite gymnasts are finding their voice and speaking up for themselves, not all athletes are able to, owing to inherent power dynamics, and some continue to train under a broken system.
—Christine Yu, SELF, 17 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for broken 
Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2024
Research continues to show, however, that any acute injury such as a broken bone, muscle tear, or damage to the joints can cause problems down the line.
—Alice Park, TIME, 20 July 2024
Two months into a historic WNBA season and amidst a flurry of broken records, unprecedented media coverage and incredible growth, it’s been difficult to find even a moment to reflect on a landmark period for the league and women’s sports in general.
—Rebecca Dyer, Sportico.com, 19 July 2024
While elite gymnasts are finding their voice and speaking up for themselves, not all athletes are able to, owing to inherent power dynamics, and some continue to train under a broken system.
—Christine Yu, SELF, 17 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for broken
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'broken.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near broken
Cite this Entry
“Broken.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/broken. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
broken
adjective
bro·ken
ˈbrō-kən 
1
: shattered into pieces
broken glass
2
a
: rough entry 1 sense 1a, uneven
broken terrain
b
: having gaps or breaks
a broken line
3
: not kept
a broken promise
4
: subdued completely
a broken spirit
5
: imperfectly spoken
broken English
6
: having undergone fracture
a broken leg
7
: having one parent missing (as because of divorce)
children from broken homes
brokenly
adverb
Medical Definition
broken
adjective
bro·ken
ˈbrō-kən
: having undergone or been subjected to fracture
a broken leg
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