housebreak

verb
house·​break | \ ˈhau̇s-ˌbrāk How to pronounce housebreak (audio) \
housebroke\ ˈhau̇s-​ˌbrōk How to pronounce housebroke (audio) \; housebroken\ ˈhau̇s-​ˌbrō-​kən How to pronounce housebroken (audio) \; housebreaking

Definition of housebreak

transitive verb

1 : to make housebroken
2a : to teach acceptable social manners to
b : tame, subdue

Examples of housebreak in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

A crate can be instrumental in housebreaking a dog or dealing with other issues such as inappropriate chewing. Joan Morris, The Mercury News, "Dogs 101: Tips on caring for your dog," 12 June 2017 Sullivan compared her work with Keller to housebreaking a dog. Elizabeth Engelman, New York Times, "My Deaf Son Fought Speech. Sign Language Let Him Bloom.," 26 May 2017

First Known Use of housebreak

1876, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for housebreak

back-formation from housebroken

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More Definitions for housebreak

housebreak

verb

English Language Learners Definition of housebreak

US : to train (an animal) to urinate or defecate outside the home or in an acceptable place indoors

housebreak

transitive verb
house·​break | \ ˈhau̇s-ˌbrāk How to pronounce housebreak (audio) \
housebroke\ -​ˌbrōk How to pronounce housebroke (audio) \; housebroken\ -​ˌbrō-​kən How to pronounce housebroken (audio) \; housebreaking

Medical Definition of housebreak

: to make housebroken