break
break Lexical Profile
break Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A pause or interruption in work, activity, or continuity, especially taken for rest or refreshment.
"The conference attendees took a brief fifteen-minute break between the morning lectures."
An opening, gap, crack, or fracture where something has separated or been damaged.
"The orthopedic surgeon examined the X-ray to determine the exact location of the break in the bone."
A sudden, fortunate opportunity or stroke of good luck that leads to advancement or success.
"Her big break came when a renowned theater director noticed her performance in a local play."
A complete termination of a relationship, association, or adherence to an established tradition.
"The artist's new exhibition marked a radical break from traditional landscape painting."
• verb
To separate or cause to separate into pieces as a result of a blow, shock, or strain.
"Be careful not to drop the porcelain vase on the tile floor, or it will break."
To interrupt a sequence, course, continuity, or state, or to pause briefly for rest.
"The committee decided to break for lunch and reconvene at two o'clock."
To render or become inoperable, damaged, or out of working order (of a machine, device, or system).
"The office printer tends to break whenever we have a large batch of documents to print."
To fail to observe or comply with a law, regulation, agreement, or promise.
"Drivers who break the speed limit in school zones face substantial fines."
To surpass or do better than a previously established record or achievement.
"The sprinter trained for four years hoping to break the world record at the championship."
Word Nuance & Usage
Often confused with its homophone 'brake', which refers to a mechanical device used for slowing or stopping a vehicle, whereas 'break' means to separate into pieces or take a rest.
• Rhymes for break
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English brecan ('to divide solid matter violently into parts or fragments; to injure, violate, or destroy'), from Proto-Germanic *brekanan, ultimately derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *bhreg- ('to break').