break (Meaning)
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
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
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.
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.
break (n.)
See Commutator.
Synonyms & Antonyms of break
break Sentence Examples
- 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.
- They took a break from their hike to admire the breathtaking view from the mountaintop.
- The break in the storm allowed residents to assess the damage and begin cleanup efforts.
- She felt a sharp pain in her ankle and knew she had suffered a break.
- The band announced they would be taking a break from touring to focus on recording their next album.
- He hit the brakes suddenly to avoid a collision with the car in front of him.
- 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
disrupt, fracture, disintegrate, shatter, smash, break up, reduce,fragment, dismember, ruin
mend,fix, patch, repair, reconstruct, reconstruct, mend, heal, rebuild, 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.
