break (Meaning)

Wordnet

break (n)

some abrupt occurrence that interrupts an ongoing activity

an unexpected piece of good luck

(geology) a crack in the earth's crust resulting from the displacement of one side with respect to the other

a personal or social separation (as between opposing factions)

a pause from doing something (as work)

the act of breaking something

a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something

breaking of hard tissue such as bone

the occurrence of breaking

an abrupt change in the tone or register of the voice (as at puberty or due to emotion)

the opening shot that scatters the balls in billiards or pool

(tennis) a score consisting of winning a game when your opponent was serving

an act of delaying or interrupting the continuity

a sudden dash

any frame in which a bowler fails to make a strike or spare

an escape from jail

Wordnet

break (v)

terminate

become separated into pieces or fragments

render inoperable or ineffective

ruin completely

destroy the integrity of; usually by force; cause to separate into pieces or fragments

act in disregard of laws, rules, contracts, or promises

move away or escape suddenly

scatter or part

force out or release suddenly and often violently something pent up

prevent completion

enter someone's (virtual or real) property in an unauthorized manner, usually with the intent to steal or commit a violent act

make submissive, obedient, or useful

fail to agree with; be in violation of; as of rules or patterns

surpass in excellence

make known to the public information that was previously known only to a few people or that was meant to be kept a secret

come into being

stop operating or functioning

interrupt a continued activity

make a rupture in the ranks of the enemy or one's own by quitting or fleeing

curl over and fall apart in surf or foam, of waves

lessen in force or effect

be broken in

come to an end

vary or interrupt a uniformity or continuity

cause to give up a habit

give up

come forth or begin from a state of latency

happen or take place

cause the failure or ruin of

invalidate by judicial action

discontinue an association or relation; go different ways

assign to a lower position; reduce in rank

reduce to bankruptcy

change directions suddenly

emerge from the surface of a body of water

break down, literally or metaphorically

do a break dance

exchange for smaller units of money

destroy the completeness of a set of related items

make the opening shot that scatters the balls

separate from a clinch, in boxing

go to pieces

break a piece from a whole

become punctured or penetrated

pierce or penetrate

be released or become known; of news

cease an action temporarily

interrupt the flow of current in

undergo breaking

find a flaw in

find the solution or key to

change suddenly from one tone quality or register to another

happen

become fractured; break or crack on the surface only

crack; of the male voice in puberty

fall sharply

fracture a bone of

diminish or discontinue abruptly

weaken or destroy in spirit or body

Webster

break (v. t.)

To strain apart; to sever by fracture; to divide with violence; as, to break a rope or chain; to break a seal; to break an axle; to break rocks or coal; to break a lock.

To lay open as by breaking; to divide; as, to break a package of goods.

To lay open, as a purpose; to disclose, divulge, or communicate.

To infringe or violate, as an obligation, law, or promise.

To interrupt; to destroy the continuity of; to dissolve or terminate; as, to break silence; to break one's sleep; to break one's journey.

To destroy the completeness of; to remove a part from; as, to break a set.

To destroy the arrangement of; to throw into disorder; to pierce; as, the cavalry were not able to break the British squares.

To shatter to pieces; to reduce to fragments.

To exchange for other money or currency of smaller denomination; as, to break a five dollar bill.

To destroy the strength, firmness, or consistency of; as, to break flax.

To weaken or impair, as health, spirit, or mind.

To diminish the force of; to lessen the shock of, as a fall or blow.

To impart, as news or information; to broach; -- with to, and often with a modified word implying some reserve; as, to break the news gently to the widow; to break a purpose cautiously to a friend.

To tame; to reduce to subjection; to make tractable; to discipline; as, to break a horse to the harness or saddle.

To destroy the financial credit of; to make bankrupt; to ruin.

To destroy the official character and standing of; to cashier; to dismiss.

An opening made by fracture or disruption.

An interruption of continuity; change of direction; as, a break in a wall; a break in the deck of a ship.

A projection or recess from the face of a building.

An opening or displacement in the circuit, interrupting the electrical current.

An interruption; a pause; as, a break in friendship; a break in the conversation.

An interruption in continuity in writing or printing, as where there is an omission, an unfilled line, etc.

The first appearing, as of light in the morning; the dawn; as, the break of day; the break of dawn.

A large four-wheeled carriage, having a straight body and calash top, with the driver's seat in front and the footman's behind.

A device for checking motion, or for measuring friction. See Brake, n. 9 & 10.

Webster

break (v. i.)

To come apart or divide into two or more pieces, usually with suddenness and violence; to part; to burst asunder.

To open spontaneously, or by pressure from within, as a bubble, a tumor, a seed vessel, a bag.

To burst forth; to make its way; to come to view; to appear; to dawn.

To burst forth violently, as a storm.

To open up; to be scattered; to be dissipated; as, the clouds are breaking.

To become weakened in constitution or faculties; to lose health or strength.

To be crushed, or overwhelmed with sorrow or grief; as, my heart is breaking.

To fall in business; to become bankrupt.

To make an abrupt or sudden change; to change the gait; as, to break into a run or gallop.

To fail in musical quality; as, a singer's voice breaks when it is strained beyond its compass and a tone or note is not completed, but degenerates into an unmusical sound instead. Also, to change in tone, as a boy's voice at puberty.

To fall out; to terminate friendship.

Webster

break (n.)

See Commutator.

break Sentence Examples

  1. After hours of intense studying, she decided to take a break to clear her mind.
  2. The workers gathered in the break room to enjoy their lunch and chat.
  3. He needed a break from the monotony of his daily routine, so he planned a weekend getaway.
  4. The vase slipped from her hands and shattered into pieces on the floor, causing a break in the silence.
  5. They took a break from their hike to admire the breathtaking view from the mountaintop.
  6. The break in the storm allowed residents to assess the damage and begin cleanup efforts.
  7. She felt a sharp pain in her ankle and knew she had suffered a break.
  8. The band announced they would be taking a break from touring to focus on recording their next album.
  9. He hit the brakes suddenly to avoid a collision with the car in front of him.
  10. The coffee shop was bustling with activity during the morning rush, but things slowed down during the midday break.

FAQs About the word break

some abrupt occurrence that interrupts an ongoing activity, an unexpected piece of good luck, (geology) a crack in the earth's crust resulting from the displace

fracture,disrupt, dismember, disintegrate, reduce, ruin, rive, split, shatter, break up

repair, reconstruct, rebuild, rebuild, repair, fix, heal, patch,fix, patch

After hours of intense studying, she decided to take a break to clear her mind.

The workers gathered in the break room to enjoy their lunch and chat.

He needed a break from the monotony of his daily routine, so he planned a weekend getaway.

The vase slipped from her hands and shattered into pieces on the floor, causing a break in the silence.