break
verb
\ ˈbrāk
\
\
broke\ ˈbrōk
\;
broken\ ˈbrō-kən
\;
breaking
\;
broken\ ˈbrō-kən
\;
breaking
Definition of break
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a
: to separate into parts with suddenness or violence
broke a plate Break the chocolate bar in half.
b(1)
: to cause (a bone) to separate into two or more pieces : fracture
broke her femur
(2)
to fracture a bone of (a bodily part)
the blow broke her arm
(3)
to dislocate or dislocate and fracture a bone of (the neck or back)
c
: to cause an open wound in : rupture
break the skin
d
: to cut into and turn over the surface of
break the soil
e
: to render inoperable
broke his watch
2a
: violate, transgress
break the law break a promise breaking conventions
b
law
: to invalidate (a will) by action under the provisions of the law
3a
archaic
: to force entry into
b
: to burst and force a way through
break the sound barrier break a racial barrier
c
: to escape by force from
break jail
d
: to make or effect by cutting, forcing, or pressing through
break a trail through the woods
4
: to disrupt the order or compactness of
break formation
5
: to make ineffective as a binding force
break the spell
6a
: to defeat utterly and end as an effective force : destroy
used starvation to break the enemy
b
: to crush the spirit of
brutal methods broke the prisoner
d
: to exhaust in health, strength, or capacity
broken by his struggle for power
7a
: to stop or bring to an end suddenly : halt
break a deadlock breaking a bad habit decided to break off all ties to the organization
c
: to open and bring about suspension of operation
break an electric circuit
d
: to destroy unity or completeness of
break a dining room set by buying a chair
e
: to change the appearance of uniformity of
a dormer breaks the level roof
f
: to split the surface of
could see fish breaking water
g
: to cause to discontinue a habit
tried to break him of smoking
8a
: to make known : tell
break the bad news gently
b
: to bring to attention or prominence initially
radio stations breaking new musicians break a news story
9a
: to ruin financially
break the bank
b
: to reduce in rank
broken from sergeant to private
10a
: to split into smaller units, parts, or processes : divide
Break the grammar lesson into digestible chunks. break a word at the end of a line
b(1)
: to give or get the equivalent of (a bill) in smaller denominations
Can you break a fifty?
(2)
: to use as the denomination in paying a bill
didn't want to break a $20 bill
—often used with into, up, or down
11a
: to check or slow the speed, force, or intensity of
The bushes broke his fall. without breaking her stride
b
: to cause failure and discontinuance of (a strike) by measures outside bargaining processes
12
: to cause a sudden significant decrease in the price, value, or volume of
news likely to break the market sharply
b
golf
: to score less than (a specified total)
trying to break 90
c
tennis
: to win against (an opponent's service)
15a
: to find an explanation or solution for : solve
the detective broke the case
b
: to discover the essentials of (a code or cipher system)
16
: to demonstrate the falsity of
break an alibi
17
: to ruin the prospects of
could make or break her career
18
: to produce visibly
barely breaks a sweat
1a
: to escape with sudden forceful effort
the attacker broke from the throng
b
: to come into being by or as if by bursting forth
day was breaking
c
: to effect a penetration
break through security lines
d
: to emerge through the surface of the water
The fish were breaking.
e
: to start abruptly
when the storm broke
f
: to become known or published
when the news broke
g
: to make a sudden dash
break for cover
h
boxing
: to separate after an instance of holding an opponent at close quarters : to separate after a clinch
The ref told them to break.
i
: to achieve initial success in usually a sudden or striking way
her song broke nationally
j
: to begin a race
the horse broke poorly
b
: to open spontaneously or by pressure from within
the blister broke
c
of a wave
: to curl over and fall apart in surf or foam
3
: to interrupt one's activity or occupation for a brief period
break for lunch
4
: to alter sharply in tone, pitch, or intensity
a voice breaking with emotion
5
: to become fair (see fair entry 1 sense 3) : clear
when the weather breaks
6
billiards
: to make the opening shot of a game of pool
7
: to end a relationship, connection, or agreement
—usually used with with or from break with traditionbroke with the leadership
8