Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *bʰreg-
Proto-Indo-European *-eti
Proto-Indo-European *bʰrégeti
Proto-Germanic *brekaną
Proto-West Germanic *brekan
Old English brecan
Middle English breken
English break
From Middle English breken, from Old English brecan (“to break”), from Proto-West Germanic *brekan, from Proto-Germanic *brekaną (“to break”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰreg- (“to break”). Doublet of bray.
Cognates
Cognates of Germanic origin include Scots brek (“to break”), West Frisian brekke (“to break”), Dutch breken (“to break”), Low German breken (“to break”), German brechen (“to break”), French broyer (“to crush, grind”), Gothic 𐌱𐍂𐌹𐌺𐌰𐌽 (brikan, “to break, destroy”), Norwegian brek (“desire, yearning”).
Also cognate with Albanian brishtë (“fragile”), Latin frangō (“break, break up, shatter”, verb), whence English fracture and other terms – fragile, frail, fraction, and fragment.
The modern pronunciation shows an irregular change of Early Modern English /ɛː/ to /eɪ/ in the standard language; contrast this with the development of other words such as speak and wreak.
Meanings
An instance of breaking something into two or more pieces.
The femur has a clean break and so should heal easily.
A physical space that opens up in something or between two things.
He waited minutes for a break in the traffic to cross the highway.
The sun came out in a break in the clouds.
An interruption of continuity; departure from or rupture with.
Work commenced at 2.30 p.m. on Saturday and continued without break until 4 a.m. on Monday morning, in the course of which three shifts of upwards of 90 men each and three steam cranes were employed. 1958 June 14, “New Track Layout and Marshalling Yard at Barking”, in Railway Magazine, page 428:
But the young activists of Move Forward outmanoeuvred the older party, and beat many of its candidates, with an imaginative, social media-based campaign offering voters a complete break with the past, and a different kind of political leadership. 2023 May 29, Jonathan Head, “Pita Limjaroenrat: Thai election upstart who vows to be different”, in BBC:
A rest or pause, usually from work.
be on break
Let’s take a five-minute break.
get on break
(UK) A rest or pause, usually from work. ▸ A time for students to talk or play between lessons.
It was playtime - or rather ‘break’ - and I had brazenly joined in a game of football on the school parade ground. 1983, Bill Oddie, Gone Birding, London: Methuen, page 35:
A rest or pause, usually from work. ▸ A scheduled interval of days or weeks between periods of school instruction; a holiday.
winter break, spring break
A short holiday.
a weekend break on the Isle of Wight
A temporary split with a romantic partner.
I think we need a break.
An interval or intermission between two parts of a performance, for example a theatre show, broadcast, or sports game.
But they marginally improved after the break as Didier Drogba hit the post. 2010 December 29, Chris Whyatt, “Chelsea 1 - 0 Bolton”, in BBC:
A significant change in circumstance, attitude, perception, or focus of attention.
big break
them's the breaks
lucky break, bad break
A sudden fall in prices on the stock exchange.
Following the invasion of France by the Germans in May of 1940, the securities markets experienced a break in prices. 1947, Reports of the Tax Court of the United States, volume 8, page 459:
The beginning (of the morning).
daybreak
at the break of day
An act of escaping.
to make a break for it; to make a break for the door
prison break
It was a clean break.
The separation between lines, paragraphs or pages of a written text.
No matter how much text you add above the break, the text after the break will always appear at the top of a new page. 2001, Nan Barber, David Reynolds, Office 2001 for Macintosh: The Missing Manual, page 138:
A keystroke or other signal that causes a program to terminate or suspend execution.
(abbreviation, alt-of, ellipsis) Ellipsis of breakpoint.
(UK) A change, particularly the end of a spell of persistent good or bad weather.
A game won by the receiving player(s).
The first shot in a game of billiards.
The number of points scored by one player in one visit to the table.
The counter-attack.
Blackpool were not without their opportunities - thanks to their willingness to commit and leave men forward even when under severe pressure - and they looked very capable of scoring on the break. 2010 December 28, Owen Phillips, “Sunderland 0 - 2 Blackpool”, in BBC:
The curve imparted to the ball's motion on the green due to slope or grass texture.
A place where waves break (that is, where waves pitch or spill forward creating white water).
One of the most popular summer breaks is just off to one side of the Ala Wai Yacht Harbor entrance, a spot called Ala Moana. 1966, Bruce Brown, director, The Endless Summer:
The final break in the Greenmount area is Kirra Point.
The start of a horse race.
Perhaps it stumbles to its knees at the break, effectively losing the race at the outset. 2010, John Alexander, Exotic Wagering the Winning Way, page 60:
Cigar was distracted at the break and let his five opponents get the jump. 1999, Jay Hovdey, Cigar: America's Horse, page 63:
The opening of packages of cards for a collectible card game, often for further distribution to paying customers.
(dated) A large four-wheeled carriage, having a straight body and calash top, with the driver's seat in front and the footman's behind.
(alt-of, alternative) Alternative form of brake (“cart or carriage without a body, for breaking in horses”)
Pampered jades […] which need nor break nor bit. 1576, George Gascoigne, The Steele Glas:
A short section of music, often between verses, in which some performers stop while others continue.
The effect was weird, because with that intuitive sense possessed by the African, every drummer knew exactly when the “breaks” were coming, and whole banks of bass drums would drop out precisely on the beat. 1937, Ivan T. Sanderson, Animal Treasure, page 233:
The fiddle break was amazing; it was a pity the singer came back in on the wrong note.
The point in the musical scale at which a woodwind instrument is designed to overblow, that is, to move from its lower to its upper register.
Crossing the break smoothly is one of the first lessons the young clarinettist needs to master.
The transition area between a singer's vocal registers; the passaggio.
The point of division between the two vocal registers is most frequently referred to as the register’s break. 2007, S. Anthony Frisella, The Baritone Voice: A Personal Guide to Acquiring a Superior Singing Technique, page 14:
34. Of the Registers of the Voice - All singers have observed that there are certain parts of the Vocal Scale where a break, as it is called, seldom fails to occur. 1862, John Winebrenner, The Serephina, Or, Christian Library of Church Music, page 13:
Boys should continue in their high voice, across the break to the lower range, and end up with a voice that doesn’t have a break (Leck, 2009). 2018, Karen Brunssen, The Evolving Singing Voice: Changes Across the Lifespan, page 76:
(in-plural) An area along a river that features steep banks, bluffs, or gorges (e.g., Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument, US).
(obsolete, slang) An error.
"Maybe he will some day," says the Missus, and then her and Bessie pretended like they'd made a break and was embarrassed. 1916, Ring W. Lardner, “Three Kings and a Pair”, in The Saturday Evening Post:
A crease or fold arising where the pants leg reaches the shoe.
A full break or even multiple breaks is an older, more conservative style, as modern pants often end well above the shoe, so there is no break.
Forms
Spelling
Features
Labels
Source
breaks
Number=Plur
lexicographic
Deriveds
break and entry (Terms derived from break (noun)) · reef break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · class break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · break clause (Terms derived from break (noun)) · break with tradition (Terms derived from break (noun)) · paragraph break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · breaktime (Terms derived from break (noun)) · jailbreak (Terms derived from break (noun)) · heartbreak (Terms derived from break (noun)) · no-break space (Terms derived from break (noun)) · tolerance break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · minibreak (Terms derived from break (noun)) · break room (Terms derived from break (noun)) · take a break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · tax break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · fall break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · shelfbreak (Terms derived from break (noun)) · wind-break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · multibreak (Terms derived from break (noun)) · breakly (Terms derived from break (noun)) · mid-term break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · Easter break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · pinky break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · Think break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · microbreak (Terms derived from break (noun)) · tough break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · breakproof (Terms derived from break (noun)) · reading break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · word-break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · break-building (Terms derived from break (noun)) · break figure (Terms derived from break (noun)) · lunchbreak (Terms derived from break (noun)) · break-bulk (Terms derived from break (noun)) · break movie (Terms derived from break (noun)) · word break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · jail break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · zoo break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · ad break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · tea break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · Break O'Day (Terms derived from break (noun)) · shore break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · bio break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · page break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · break of day (Terms derived from break (noun)) · dam break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · nanobreak (Terms derived from break (noun)) · water break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · break of gauge (Terms derived from break (noun)) · shelf break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · fag break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · newsbreak (Terms derived from break (noun)) · double-break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · potty break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · break dancing (Terms derived from break (noun)) · beach break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · lucky break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · postbreak (Terms derived from break (noun)) · off break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · waterbreak (Terms derived from break (noun)) · fire break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · clean break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · summer break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · break dance (Terms derived from break (noun)) · prison break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · sunbreak (Terms derived from break (noun)) · daybreak (Terms derived from break (noun)) · break dancer (Terms derived from break (noun)) · fast break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · double break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · sand break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · break time (Terms derived from break (noun)) · syllabic break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · dambreak (Terms derived from break (noun)) · limit break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · bathroom break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · comfort break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · toilet break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · commercial break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · century break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · prebreak (Terms derived from break (noun)) · underbreak (Terms derived from break (noun)) · catch a break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · spring break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · break junction (Terms derived from break (noun)) · double break point (Terms derived from break (noun)) · wikibreak (Terms derived from break (noun)) · March break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · give it a break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · wet break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · crossbreak (Terms derived from break (noun)) · point break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · physical break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · big break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · mind break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · half-break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · Christmas break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · soft break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · short break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · career break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · firebreak (Terms derived from break (noun)) · day-break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · tie-break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · make a break for it (Terms derived from break (noun)) · gimme a break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · Thanksgiving break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · station break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · lunch break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · give me a break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · hammer break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · thermal break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · break of dawn (Terms derived from break (noun)) · T-break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · beambreak (Terms derived from break (noun)) · midterm break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · mini-break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · leg break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · nightbreak (Terms derived from break (noun)) · winter break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · break point (Terms derived from break (noun)) · autumn break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · wind break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · section break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · maximum break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · hydration break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · breakless (Terms derived from break (noun)) · coffee break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · give someone a break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · harvest break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · tie break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · bio-break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · city break (Terms derived from break (noun)) · pawn break (Terms derived from break (noun))
bg про́бив (tennis: game won by receiving party) · de Beziehungspause (temporary split in romantic relationship) · pt tempo (temporary split in romantic relationship) · fi tauko (rest or pause, usually from work) · hu kiállás (music: short section of music in which some performers stop) · ja 割れ目 (physical space that opens up in something or between two things) · sk pauza (music: short section of music in which some performers stop) · fr évasion (act of escaping) · sk úsvit (beginning of morning) · lt pertrauka (rest or pause, usually from work) · es ruptura (instance of breaking something into pieces) · grc ἀνάπαυσις (rest or pause, usually from work) · sv paus (rest or pause, usually from work) · de Unterbrechung (interval between two parts of performance) · fi tauko (interval between two parts of performance) · de Break (tennis: game won by receiving party) · ja 休憩 (rest or pause, usually from work) · fi murtaminen (instance of breaking something into pieces) · fi aukko (physical space that opens up in something or between two things) · gl crebadura (instance of breaking something into pieces) · fi aloituslyönti (billiards, snooker: first shot) · sv rast (rest or pause, usually from work) · it passaggio (music: a transition area between a singer’s vocal registers) · sk lom (instance of breaking something into pieces) · bg пукнатина́ (physical space that opens up in something or between two things) · ro spărtură (physical space that opens up in something or between two things) · de Umbruch (significant change in circumstance) · ro crăpătură (physical space that opens up in something or between two things) · gv brishey (instance of breaking something into pieces) · ro întrerupere (instance of breaking something into pieces) · pt quebra (instance of breaking something into pieces) · ko 휴게 (rest or pause, usually from work) · da afbrud (temporary split in romantic relationship) · sk pomlčka (music: short section of music in which some performers stop) · fr entracte (interval between two parts of performance) · bg разби́ване (billiards, snooker: first shot) · fr casse (instance of breaking something into pieces) · ro pauză (rest or pause, usually from work) · sk svitanie (beginning of morning) · da pause (rest or pause, usually from work) · af breuk (rest or pause, usually from work) · fi särkyminen (instance of breaking something into pieces) · de Umschwung (change in weather) · ar اِسْتِرَاحَة (rest or pause, usually from work) · lv lūšana (instance of breaking something into pieces) · ro fractură (instance of breaking something into pieces) · sk zmena (significant change in circumstance) · pl przerwa (rest or pause, usually from work) · km ល្ហែ (rest or pause, usually from work) · fi tauko (temporary split in romantic relationship) · ro rupere (instance of breaking something into pieces) · cmn 休息 (rest or pause, usually from work) · fi rikkoutuminen (instance of breaking something into pieces) · fi murros (significant change in circumstance) · fi aamunkoite (beginning of morning) · fi rikkominen (instance of breaking something into pieces) · gl quebradura (instance of breaking something into pieces) · ja ブレーク (tennis: game won by receiving party) · fr aube (beginning of morning) · bg счу́пване (instance of breaking something into pieces) · lv lūzums (physical space that opens up in something or between two things) · bg па́уза (rest or pause, usually from work) · fi vastahyökkäys (soccer: counter-attack) · ca escapada (soccer: counter-attack) · de Spalt (physical space that opens up in something or between two things) · fi väliaika (interval between two parts of performance) · fr pause (temporary split in romantic relationship) · ro deschidere (physical space that opens up in something or between two things) · de Anbruch (beginning of morning) · de Konter (soccer: counter-attack) · cs pauza (rest or pause, usually from work) · ru побе́г (act of escaping) · de Gegenstoß (soccer: counter-attack) · mi puapua (surfing: place where waves break) · es asueto (rest or pause, usually from work) · ru поворо́т (significant change in circumstance) · az fasilə (rest or pause, usually from work) · fi särkeminen (instance of breaking something into pieces) · bg прибо́й (surfing: place where waves break) · pt pausa (rest or pause, usually from work) · de Bruch (significant change in circumstance) · pl ucieczka (act of escaping) · fi syötönmurto (tennis: game won by receiving party) · da pause (interval between two parts of performance) · da åbning (physical space that opens up in something or between two things) · ml ഇടവേള (interval between two parts of performance) · tr seri (snooker: number of points in one visit) · ota آرالق (rest or pause, usually from work) · sk začiatok (beginning of morning) · ur وقفہ (rest or pause, usually from work) · de Pause (interval between two parts of performance) · nb pause (interval between two parts of performance) · es quiete (rest or pause, usually from work) · ro ruptură (instance of breaking something into pieces) · pl przełamanie (tennis: game won by receiving party) · ca escapada (act of escaping) · pt fresta (physical space that opens up in something or between two things) · da break (tennis: game won by receiving party) · sk útek (act of escaping) · sl odmor (rest or pause, usually from work) · fi käänne (change in weather) · be перапы́нак (rest or pause, usually from work) · fr espace (physical space that opens up in something or between two things) · fi pako (act of escaping) · sk zlomenina (instance of breaking something into pieces) · de Ausbruch (act of escaping) · fi tauko (music: short section of music in which some performers stop) · bg цепнатина́ (physical space that opens up in something or between two things) · de Wechsel (significant change in circumstance) · sk zlom (significant change in circumstance) · el διάλειμμα (rest or pause, usually from work) · sv break (tennis: game won by receiving party) · cy toriad (physical space that opens up in something or between two things) · de Anstoß (billiards, snooker: first shot) · he שְׁבִירָה (instance of breaking something into pieces) · nb åpning (physical space that opens up in something or between two things) · vi giải lao (rest or pause, usually from work) · mi tūātea (surfing: place where waves break) · nb hull (physical space that opens up in something or between two things) · sk prestávka (temporary split in romantic relationship) · be прэ́рва (rest or pause, usually from work) · hu szünet (rest or pause, usually from work) · uk пере́рва (rest or pause, usually from work) · cy toriad (rest or pause, usually from work) · sk prestávka (rest or pause, usually from work) · de Eröffnungsstoß (billiards, snooker: first shot) · nb gjenvinning (soccer: counter-attack) · fi aamunkoitto (beginning of morning) · de Pause (rest or pause, usually from work) · sk medzera (physical space that opens up in something or between two things) · nb brudd (instance of breaking something into pieces) · de Gegenangriff (soccer: counter-attack) · it sosta (rest or pause, usually from work) · it pausa (rest or pause, usually from work) · sv avbrott (rest or pause, usually from work) · de Bruch (instance of breaking something into pieces) · nb avbrekk (temporary split in romantic relationship) · lt pauzė (rest or pause, usually from work) · da hul (physical space that opens up in something or between two things) · fr pause (rest or pause, usually from work) · sv brott (instance of breaking something into pieces) · cy toriad (instance of breaking something into pieces) · ga sos (rest or pause, usually from work) · pt fuga (act of escaping) · fr changement (change in weather) · cy toriad (interval between two parts of performance) · ca entrada (billiards, snooker: first shot) · ru разбо́й (billiards, snooker: first shot) · lv pārtraukums (rest or pause, usually from work) · da brud (instance of breaking something into pieces) · de Öffnung (physical space that opens up in something or between two things) · hy ընդմիջում (rest or pause, usually from work) · ro spațiu (gol) (physical space that opens up in something or between two things) · ja 隙間 (physical space that opens up in something or between two things) · uz tanaffus (rest or pause, usually from work) · fi käänne (significant change in circumstance) · cs přestávka (rest or pause, usually from work) · tr ara (rest or pause, usually from work) · fr ouverture (physical space that opens up in something or between two things) · da kontra (soccer: counter-attack) · ota فرج (physical space that opens up in something or between two things) · ja ブレーク (billiards, snooker: first shot) · ru переры́в (rest or pause, usually from work) · vi nghỉ (rest or pause, usually from work) · sk zlom (instance of breaking something into pieces) · ru разло́м (physical space that opens up in something or between two things) · pt fenda (physical space that opens up in something or between two things) · bg междуча́сие (rest or pause, usually from work) · nb break (tennis: game won by receiving party) · tl pugto (physical space that opens up in something or between two things) · tl tayong (rest or pause, usually from work) · ta இடைவெளி (interval between two parts of performance) · fi murtuma (instance of breaking something into pieces) · eo paŭzo (rest or pause, usually from work)
Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *bʰreg-
Proto-Indo-European *-eti
Proto-Indo-European *bʰrégeti
Proto-Germanic *brekaną
Proto-West Germanic *brekan
Old English brecan
Middle English breken
English break
From Middle English breken, from Old English brecan (“to break”), from Proto-West Germanic *brekan, from Proto-Germanic *brekaną (“to break”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰreg- (“to break”). Doublet of bray.
Cognates
Cognates of Germanic origin include Scots brek (“to break”), West Frisian brekke (“to break”), Dutch breken (“to break”), Low German breken (“to break”), German brechen (“to break”), French broyer (“to crush, grind”), Gothic 𐌱𐍂𐌹𐌺𐌰𐌽 (brikan, “to break, destroy”), Norwegian brek (“desire, yearning”).
Also cognate with Albanian brishtë (“fragile”), Latin frangō (“break, break up, shatter”, verb), whence English fracture and other terms – fragile, frail, fraction, and fragment.
The modern pronunciation shows an irregular change of Early Modern English /ɛː/ to /eɪ/ in the standard language; contrast this with the development of other words such as speak and wreak.
Meanings
(ergative, intransitive, transitive) To separate into two or more pieces, to fracture or crack, by a process that cannot easily be reversed for reassembly.
In order to tend to the accident victim, he will break the window of the car.
If the vase falls to the floor, it might break.
First, marinate the tofu. In a bowl, whisk the kecap manis, chilli sauce, and sesame oil together. Cut the tofu into strips about 1cm thick, mix gently (so it doesn't break) with the marinade and leave in the fridge for half an hour. 2012 May 8, Yotam Ottolenghi, Sami Tamimi, Ottolenghi: The Cookbook, Random House, →ISBN, page 79:
(ergative, intransitive, transitive) To separate into two or more pieces, to fracture or crack, by a process that cannot easily be reversed for reassembly. ▸ To crack or fracture (bone) under a physical strain.
His ribs broke under the weight of the rocks piled on his chest.
He slipped on the ice and broke his leg.
(ergative, intransitive, transitive) To separate into two or more pieces, to fracture or crack, by a process that cannot easily be reversed for reassembly. ▸ To make the first shot; to scatter the balls from the initial neat arrangement.
Is it your or my turn to break?
(ergative, figuratively, intransitive, transitive) To separate into two or more pieces, to fracture or crack, by a process that cannot easily be reversed for reassembly. ▸ To divide (something, often money) into smaller units.
Can you break a hundred-dollar bill for me?
The wholesaler broke the container loads into palettes and boxes for local retailers.
(ergative, figuratively, intransitive, transitive) To separate into two or more pieces, to fracture or crack, by a process that cannot easily be reversed for reassembly. ▸ To divide (something, often money) into smaller units. ▸ To use a high-value denomination of currency, thus necessitating being given change in smaller denominations.
I don't want to break my hundred dollar bill.
(ergative, intransitive, transitive) To separate into two or more pieces, to fracture or crack, by a process that cannot easily be reversed for reassembly. ▸ To change the orderliness or compactness of an arrangement.
The soldier broke formation.
(ergative, intransitive, transitive) To separate into two or more pieces, to fracture or crack, by a process that cannot easily be reversed for reassembly. ▸ To disrupt the surface of and turn over the body of a substance.
You have to break the soil with the ho.
(transitive) To cause (a person or animal) to lose spirit or will; to crush the spirits of.
Interrogators have used many forms of torture to break prisoners of war.
Her child’s death broke Angela.
If I had called, and had answered me, yet would I not beleeue that he had hearkened vnto my voice: For he breaketh me with a tempest, and multiplieth my wounds without cause. 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Job 9:16–17:
The interrogator hoped to break her to get her testimony against her accomplices.
An old man, broken with the storms of state,
Is come to lay his weary bones among ye;
Give him a little earth for charity 1613 (date written), William Shakespeare, [John Fletcher], “The Famous History of the Life of King Henry the Eight”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene ii]:
(intransitive, transitive) To cause (a person or animal) to lose spirit or will; to crush the spirits of. ▸ To be crushed, or overwhelmed with sorrow or grief.
Two days later they transferred her to another prison to separate us. I broke. My life was gone, so I thought. 1986 February 1, Kathy Jo Elliott, “Solid As A Rock”, in Gay Community News, volume 13, number 28, page 5:
My heart is breaking.
(transitive) To cause (a person or animal) to lose spirit or will; to crush the spirits of. ▸ To turn an animal into a beast of burden.
Colonel: See, gentlemen? Any horse could be broken. 2002, John Fusco, Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron:
You have to break an elephant before you can use it as an animal of burden.
(transitive) To destroy the strength, firmness, or consistency of.
to break flax
(intransitive, transitive) To destroy the strength, firmness, or consistency of. ▸ To become weakened in constitution or faculties; to lose health or strength.
See how the dean begins to break; / Poor gentleman he droops apace. 1731, Verses on His Own Death, Jonathan Swift:
(transitive) To destroy the strength, firmness, or consistency of. ▸ To destroy the official character and standing of; to cashier; to dismiss.
when I see a great officer broke. January 11, 1711, Jonathan Swift, The Examiner No. 24
(qualifier:most often in the passive tense, transitive) To destroy the strength, firmness, or consistency of. ▸ To demote; to reduce the military rank of.
And he played no favorites: when his son-in-law sacked a city he had been told to spare, Genghis broke him to private. 1953 February 9, “Books: First Rulers of Asia”, in Time:
One morning after the budget had failed to balance Finanzminister von Scholz picked up Der Reichsanzeiger and found he had been broken to sergeant. 1968, William Manchester, The Arms of Krupp, Back Bay, published 2003, →ISBN, page 215:
Not long after this event, Clausen became involved in another disciplinary situation and was broken to private—the only one to win the Medal of Honor in Vietnam. 2006, Peter Collier, Medal of Honor: Portraits of Valor Beyond the Call of Duty, Second Edition, Artisan Books, →ISBN, page 42:
Sir Reginald Wingate, High Commissioner in Egypt, was happy for the success of the work he had advocated for years. I grudged him this happiness; for McMahon, who took the actual risk of starting it, had been broken just before prosperity began. 1926, T.E. Lawrence, Seven Pillars of Wisdom, New York: Anchor, published 1991, page 167:
(transitive) To destroy the strength, firmness, or consistency of. ▸ To end (something) as a meaningful force.
break the enemy
(transitive) To destroy the strength, firmness, or consistency of. ▸ To win a game (against one's opponent) as receiver.
He needs to break serve to win the match.
Yet when play restarted the Czech was a train that kept on running over Nadal. After breaking Nadal in the opening game of the final set, he went 2-0 up and later took the count to 4-2 with yet another emphatic ace – one of his 22 throughout. 2012 June 28, Jamie Jackson, “Wimbledon 2012: Lukas Rosol shocked by miracle win over Rafael Nadal”, in the Guardian:
(transitive) To destroy the strength, firmness, or consistency of. ▸ To remove one of the two men on (a point).
(transitive) To interrupt; to destroy the continuity of; to dissolve or terminate.
I had won four games in a row, but now you've broken my streak of luck.
Go, release them, Ariel; / My charms I'll break, their senses I'll restore. 1610–1611 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tempest”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene i]:
I’ve got to break this habit I have of biting my nails. Can you break this habit of mine?
to break silence; to break one's sleep; to break one’s journey
(transitive) To interrupt; to destroy the continuity of; to dissolve or terminate. ▸ To end (a connection); to disconnect.
to break an electric circuit
I couldn’t hear a thing he was saying, so I broke the connection and called him back.
The referee ordered the boxers to break the clinch.
The referee broke the boxers' clinch.
(transitive) To interrupt; to destroy the continuity of; to dissolve or terminate. ▸ To ruin financially; to harm.
The recession broke some small businesses.
With arts like these rich Matho, when he speaks, / Attracts all fees, and little lawyers breaks. 1693, Decimus Junius Juvenalis, John Dryden, transl., “[The Satires of Decimus Junius Juvenalis.] The Seventh Satyr”, in The Satires of Decimus Junius Juvenalis. Translated into English Verse. […] Together with the Satires of Aulus Persius Flaccus. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson […], →OCLC:
His actions could break my career.
(transitive) To interrupt; to destroy the continuity of; to dissolve or terminate. ▸ To end the run of (a play).
After Camberwell he broke the play's season and brought it back in the autumn with a few revisions and a noticeably strengthened cast but without any special success. 1986, Kurt Gänzl, The British Musical Theatre: 1865-1914, page 610:
In July Alexander broke the run and went on tour, as was his custom. He believed in keeping in touch with provincial audiences and how wise he was! 1958, Walter Macqueen-Pope, St. James's: Theatre of Distinction, page 134:
(intransitive, transitive) To interrupt; to destroy the continuity of; to dissolve or terminate. ▸ Of prices on the stock exchange: to fall suddenly.
With a few exceptions, stock prices tend to follow the overall market averages. When you have a market decline, therefore, many stocks share the same overall chart pattern. Prices break and go sideways for a period of time. 2008, George Angell, Small Stocks for Big Profits:
(transitive) To interrupt; to destroy the continuity of; to dissolve or terminate. ▸ To violate a contract or end the applicability of a will.
He broke the lease.
(transitive) To interrupt; to destroy the continuity of; to dissolve or terminate. ▸ To end the continuity or consistency of something.
She broke the matching set by buying a one of a kind item.
(intransitive, obsolete, transitive) To interrupt; to destroy the continuity of; to dissolve or terminate. ▸ To fail in business; to go broke, to become bankrupt.
‘I knew he was in some such low way—He broke did not he?’ 1791-92, Jane Austen, ‘A Collection of Letters’, Juvenilia
He that puts all upon adventures doth oftentimes break, and come to poverty. 1625, Francis [Bacon], “Of Riches”, in The Essayes […], 3rd edition, London: […] Iohn Haviland for Hanna Barret, →OCLC:
(archaic, intransitive, transitive) To interrupt; to destroy the continuity of; to dissolve or terminate. ▸ To fall out; to terminate friendship.
c. 1700 Jeremy Collier, On Friendship
To break upon the score of danger or expense is to be mean and narrow-spirited.
(transitive) To change a steady state abruptly.
His coughing broke the silence.
With the mood broken, what we had been doing seemed pretty silly.
His turning on the lights broke the enchantment.
(transitive) To change a steady state abruptly. ▸ To disrupt a surface.
The dolphin broke the water by jumping into the air.
(transitive) To change a steady state abruptly. ▸ To make by forcing one's way through.
It's time to break a trail through the park.
(transitive) To change a steady state abruptly. ▸ To force one's way through.
Her promotion broke America's racial barriers.
(dated, intransitive, transitive) To change a steady state abruptly. ▸ To escape.
He broke from prison.
She broke jail.
(intransitive, transitive) To change a steady state abruptly. ▸ To make an abrupt or sudden change; to change gait.
to break into a run or gallop
(transitive, with for) To change a steady state abruptly. ▸ To (attempt to) disengage and flee to; to make a run for.
As the last firing of the big guns begins to die down, the German light forces still fighting to the west begin to make their choices. Some break for the open sea; others run for the German-occupied coast; still others stand and die. A small group decide to strike their colors, in imitation of three of the larger German ships. 2018 October 17, Drachinifel, 26:02 from the start, in Last Ride of the High Seas Fleet - Battle of Texel 1918, archived from the original on 04 Aug 2022:
(intransitive, transitive) To change a steady state abruptly. ▸ To burst forth; to make its way; to come into view.
The Clouds are ſtill above; and, while I ſpeak, / A ſecond deluge o'er our head may break. 1717, John Dryden, “Book I. [The Gyants War.]”, in Ovid’s Metamorphoses in Fifteen Books. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC, page 16:
And from the turf a fountain broke, / And gurgled at our feet. 1800, William Wordsworth, The Fountain:
(intransitive, of a wave of water, transitive) To change a steady state abruptly. ▸ To collapse into surf, after arriving in shallow water.
There are many places on the reef that break during the summer. 1966, Bruce Brown, director, The Endless Summer:
(transitive) To change a steady state abruptly. ▸ To solve a code or case.
That news broke the case wide open.
The detectives broke the Hamptons murder.
It's vital we break the code.
(intransitive, of a fever, transitive) To change a steady state abruptly. ▸ To end a fever. ▸ To go down, in terms of temperature, indicating that the most dangerous part of the illness has passed.
Susan's fever broke at about 3 AM, and the doctor said the worst was over.
(transitive) To change a steady state abruptly. ▸ To end a fever. ▸ To successfully treat or resist (a fever).
Carl broke his fever this morning.
The treatment broke my fever.
(intransitive, of a spell of settled weather, transitive) To change a steady state abruptly. ▸ To end.
The forecast says the hot weather will break by midweek.
(intransitive, of a storm, transitive) To change a steady state abruptly. ▸ To begin or end.
Around midday the storm broke, and the afternoon was calm and sunny.
We ran to find shelter before the storm broke.
(intransitive, of morning, qualifier:dawn; day etc.; dawn; day etc., transitive) To change a steady state abruptly. ▸ To arrive.
Morning has broken.
The day begins to break, and night is fled. 1591 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The First Part of Henry the Sixt”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene ii]:
The day broke crisp and clear.
(intransitive, transitive) To change a steady state abruptly. ▸ To counter-attack.
The Baggies almost hit back instantly when Graham Dorrans broke from midfield and pulled the trigger from 15 yards but Paul Robinson did superbly to tip the Scot's drive around the post. 2010 December 28, Kevin Darlin, “West Brom 1 - 3 Blackburn”, in BBC:
(ergative, transitive) To change a steady state abruptly. ▸ To disclose or make known an item of news, a band, etc.
I don’t know how to break this to you, but your cat is not coming back.
The newsman wanted to break a big story, something that would make him famous.
Herman's Hermits version of 'I'm Into Something Good' topped the UK charts and also broke the band in the States. 2010, Jon Kutner, Spencer Leigh, 1,000 UK Number One Hits:
“If something breaks during the day, work hours up until the evening, we’ll cut in — if we’re in the middle of, let’s say, a magazine program or a podcast on tape or a re-air of the game,” Radovich said. 2023 March 8, Jonathan Tannenwald, “CBS is launching a 24/7 soccer channel online”, in The Philadelphia Inquirer:
When news of their divorce broke...
(transitive) To change a steady state abruptly. ▸ To cause, or allow the occurrence of, a line break.
zero-width non-breaking space
(intransitive, transitive) To stop, or to cause to stop, functioning properly or altogether.
On the hottest day of the year the refrigerator broke.
Did you two break the trolley by racing with it?
(intransitive, transitive) To stop, or to cause to stop, functioning properly or altogether. ▸ To violate; to fail to adhere to.
When you go to Vancouver, promise me you won't break the law.
Time travel would break the laws of physics.
Out, out Hyæna; theſe are thy wonted arts, [...] To break all faith, all vows, deceive, betray, 1671, John Milton, “Samson Agonistes, […].”, in Paradise Regain’d. A Poem. In IV Books. To which is Added, Samson Agonistes, London: […] J[ohn] M[acock] for John Starkey […], →OCLC, page 48, lines 749–751:
to break one’s word
He broke his vows by cheating on his wife.
(intransitive, slang, transitive) To stop, or to cause to stop, functioning properly or altogether. ▸ To render (a game) unchallenging by altering its rules or exploiting loopholes or weaknesses in them in a way that gives a player an unfair advantage.
I broke the RPG by training every member of my party to cast fireballs as well as use swords.
Changing the rules to let white have three extra queens would break chess.
(intransitive, transitive) To stop, or to cause to stop, functioning properly or altogether. ▸ To prove a falsity.
The detectives will break her alibi.
(intransitive, transitive) To stop, or to cause to stop, functioning properly or altogether. ▸ To cause (a barrier) to no longer bar; to rupture; to render a barrier ineffective.
to break a seal
I'm a riddle so strong, you can't break me 1992, “Rain When I Die”, performed by Alice in Chains:
to break the skin
to break a spell
(intransitive, specifically, transitive) To stop, or to cause to stop, functioning properly or altogether. ▸ To cause (a barrier) to no longer bar; to rupture; to render a barrier ineffective. ▸ To cause the shell of (an egg) to crack, so that the inside (yolk) is accessible.
(intransitive, specifically, transitive) To stop, or to cause to stop, functioning properly or altogether. ▸ To cause (a barrier) to no longer bar; to rupture; to render a barrier ineffective. ▸ To open (a safe) without using the correct key, combination, or the like.
(intransitive, transitive) To stop, or to cause to stop, functioning properly or altogether. ▸ To destroy the arrangement of; to throw into disorder; to pierce.
The cavalry were not able to break the British squares.
(in programming, intransitive, specifically, transitive) To stop, or to cause to stop, functioning properly or altogether. ▸ To destroy the arrangement of; to throw into disorder; to pierce. ▸ To cause (some feature of a program or piece of software) to stop functioning properly; to cause a regression.
Adding 64-bit support broke backward compatibility with earlier versions.
(intransitive, transitive) To stop, or to cause to stop, functioning properly or altogether. ▸ To interrupt (a fall) by inserting something or by being place such that the falling object does not (immediately) hit something else beneath.
He survived the jump out the window because the bushes below broke his fall.
(intransitive, transitive) To stop, or to cause to stop, functioning properly or altogether. ▸ To surpass or do better than (a specific number); to do better than (a record), setting a new record.
The policeman broke sixty on a residential street in his hurry to catch the thief.
I can't believe she broke 3 under par!
He broke the men's 100-meter record.
(intransitive, transitive) To stop, or to cause to stop, functioning properly or altogether. ▸ To surpass or do better than (a specific number); to do better than (a record), setting a new record. ▸ To do better than a specified value.
He's hoping to break 90.
(intransitive, transitive) To stop, or to cause to stop, functioning properly or altogether. ▸ To surpass or do better than (a specific number); to do better than (a record), setting a new record. ▸ To get past defenders, resulting in a specified run.
He broke a thirty-yard run.
(intransitive, transitive) To stop, or to cause to stop, functioning properly or altogether. ▸ To terminate the execution of a program before normal completion.
(intransitive, transitive) To stop, or to cause to stop, functioning properly or altogether. ▸ To suspend the execution of a program during debugging so that the state of the program can be investigated.
(copulative, informal) To suddenly become.
Things began breaking bad for him when his parents died.
Like the crash of thunderbolts…, the sound of musquetry broke over the lawn, ….
The arrest was standard, when suddenly the suspect broke ugly.
(copulative, informal, intransitive, of a liquid, of a sauce or emulsion, transitive) To suddenly become. ▸ To lose a texture. ▸ To de-emulsify.
A microwave will create hot spots that can break the sauce.
When the droplets hit a solid wall the emulsion breaks instantly forming a bitumen on the wall and thus a layer up to 1 cm thick can be sprayed in one operation without requiring drying in between. 2006, Johan Sjöblom, Emulsions and emulsion stability, volume 22, page 400:
Conversely, as the emulsion breaks and the system returns to the original state, energy is released. 2004, J. L. Atwood, Jonathan W. Steed, Encyclopedia of supramolecular chemistry, volume 2, page 1466:
If you cook it too long, coconut milk will break.
(copulative, informal, intransitive, of a liquid, of whipped cream, qualifier:egg whites, transitive, usually) To suddenly become. ▸ To lose a texture. ▸ To become overwhipped and thus lose its texture.
(copulative, informal, intransitive, of a sound) To suddenly become. ▸ To become audible suddenly.
c. 1843, George Lippard, The Battle-Day of Germantown, reprinted in Washington and His Generals "1776", page 45 http://google.com/books?id=EM-qNjWrI9YC&pg=PA45&dq=%22sound+of+musquetry%22:
(copulative, informal, intransitive, of a male voice) To suddenly become. ▸ To become deeper at puberty.
(copulative, informal, intransitive, of a voice) To suddenly become. ▸ To alter in type due to emotion or strain: in men, generally to go up, in women, sometimes to go down; to crack.
His voice breaks when he gets emotional.
(copulative, informal, intransitive) To suddenly become. ▸ To interrupt or cease one's work or occupation temporarily; to go on break.
Let's break for lunch.
(copulative, informal, obsolete, transitive) To suddenly become. ▸ To lay open, as a purpose; to disclose, divulge, or communicate.
Katharine, break thy mind to me. 1599 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Life of Henry the Fift”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene ii]:
ja ブレークを取る (to win a game as receiver in tennis) · hu fordul (to suddenly become) · la rumpō (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · ru лома́ть (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · eu apurtu (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · fr ruiner (to ruin financially) · sk pokaziť (to change a steady state abruptly) · la frangō (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · ar كَسَرَ (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · pl połamać się (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · ru слома́ться (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · it sfondare (transitive: to do that which is forbidden by (something)) · ky сындыруу (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · hu tönkretesz (to ruin financially) · hu felnyit (to cause to no longer bar) · pt perder (to cause a habit to no longer exist) · it frantumare (to do better than a record) · it invadere (to become audible suddenly) · fi rikkoa (transitive: to do that which is forbidden by (something)) · gl crebar (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · sk prekonať (to do better than a record) · th ฝ่าฝืน (transitive: to do that which is forbidden by (something)) · de bekannt machen (to disclose or make known an item of news) · de kaputtgehen (intransitive: to stop functioning properly or altogether) · ru по́ртить (transitive: to cause to stop functioning) · it irrompere (to suddenly become) · it interrompere (to interrupt a fall) · fur rompi (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · fr briser (to cause a person to lose spirit or will) · es esñocar (transitive: to cause to stop functioning) · da gå i stykker (intransitive: to stop functioning properly or altogether) · bho तूड़ल (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · pt quebrar (to do better than a record) · kk сындыру (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · pt quebrar (to ruin financially) · ru разменять (to divide (money) into smaller units) · ko 부서지다 (intransitive: to stop functioning properly or altogether) · nl stukmaken (transitive: to cause to stop functioning) · fr se fracturer (intransitive, of a bone: to crack) · ltg lyuzt (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · sk skrotiť (to turn an animal into a beast of burden) · ar اِنْكَسَرَ (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · de anstoßen (billiards: to make the first shot) · fur frangi (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · pt desrespeitar (transitive: to do that which is forbidden by (something)) · ru сменяться (of a spell of weather: to end) · el σπάζω (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · hu eltör (transitive: to cause (a bone) to crack) · hu megsért (transitive: to do that which is forbidden by (something)) · sk zruinovať (to ruin financially) · hu szakad (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · it rompere (to change a steady state abruptly) · hu javít (to do better than a record) · az sındırmaq (transitive: to cause to stop functioning) · tl hatiin (to divide (money) into smaller units) · sk prerušiť (to end a connection) · mt kiser (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · sk zlomiť sa (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · de einen / den Stimmbruch haben (of a male voice, to become deeper at puberty) · pl psuć (transitive: to cause to stop functioning) · ca rompre's (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · ru нару́шить (transitive: to do that which is forbidden by (something)) · it scambiare (to divide (money) into smaller units) · tg шикастан (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · be злама́ць (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · tl mabali (intransitive, of a bone: to crack) · ru лома́ть (transitive: to cause (a bone) to crack) · cs zlomit (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · uk робит́и пере́рву (to interrupt or cease one's work or occupation temporarily) · tpi bruk (intransitive, of a bone: to crack) · nl kapotgaan (intransitive: to stop functioning properly or altogether) · mk кр́ши (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · fr tomber en panne (intransitive: to stop functioning properly or altogether) · tpi brukim (transitive: to cause to stop functioning) · tr servis kırmak (to win a game as receiver in tennis) · hu eltörik (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · az sınmaq (intransitive, of a bone: to crack) · hy կոտրել (transitive: to cause (a bone) to crack) · cs polámat se (intransitive: to stop functioning properly or altogether) · hu szeg (transitive: to do that which is forbidden by (something)) · da gå itu (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · fi särkeä (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · lv paņemt pārtraukumu (to interrupt or cease one's work or occupation temporarily) · ga bris (intransitive: to stop functioning properly or altogether) · pl złamać (to cause a person to lose spirit or will) · eu puskatu (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · fr rompre (to end a connection) · mi pōrutu (of a wave, to collapse into a surf) · nl verdelen (to divide (money) into smaller units) · it terminare (to cause a habit to no longer exist) · uk розби́ти (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · hy կոտրել (transitive: to cause to stop functioning) · cmn 犯戒 (transitive: to do that which is forbidden by (something)) · it spuntare (of morning: to arrive) · fi murtua (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · he שָׁבַר (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · be разбі́цца (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · fi taittaa (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · uk пере́рва (to interrupt or cease one's work or occupation temporarily) · tl mabasag (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · sv ta isär (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · it contrattaccare (gaming: to design or make a powerful, unbalancing but legal move) · hu csődbe juttat (to ruin financially) · hu leszokik (to cause a habit to no longer exist) · te విరుచు (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · uk злама́ти (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · ru броса́ть (to cause a habit to no longer exist) · it fare una pausa (to interrupt or cease one's work or occupation temporarily) · he נשבר (intransitive, of a bone: to crack) · hu megváltozik (to suddenly become) · fr se casser (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · enm chynen (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · sk prelomiť (to cause to no longer bar) · hu elszakad (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · ckb شکاندن (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · bg чу́пя (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · amf aisá (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · az sındırmaq (transitive: to cause (a bone) to crack) · pl rujnować (to ruin financially) · de werden (to suddenly become) · tk gyrmak (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · fi kesyttää (to turn an animal into a beast of burden) · pt quebrar (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · sk stratiť sa (to change a steady state abruptly) · de zerbrechen (to cause a person to lose spirit or will) · te విరగగొట్టు (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · chr ᎠᎦᎳᏍᎦ (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · ga bris (transitive: to cause (a bone) to crack) · sk lámať sa (of a wave, to collapse into a surf) · ka ტყდომა (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · mn зөрчих (transitive: to do that which is forbidden by (something)) · fr bourriner (gaming: to design or make a powerful, unbalancing but legal move) · am ሰበረ (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · tl baliin (transitive: to cause (a bone) to crack) · es romperse (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · is brotna (intransitive, of a bone: to crack) · hu mutál (of a male voice, to become deeper at puberty) · ru слома́ться (intransitive: to stop functioning properly or altogether) · de zerbrechen (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · hsb łamać (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · it interrompere (to change a steady state abruptly) · kw krackya (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · pl złamać się (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · ru разорвать (to end a connection) · da knuse (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · fi pysäyttää (to interrupt a fall) · de den Eröffnungsstoß haben (billiards: to make the first shot) · lv salauzt (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · sk rozdeliť (to end a connection) · sv gå sönder (intransitive: to stop functioning properly or altogether) · mn хагарах (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · mn хагалах (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · fi hellittää (of a spell of weather: to end) · sv avbryta (to interrupt or cease one's work or occupation temporarily) · sl razbiti (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · lv lūzt (intransitive, of a bone: to crack) · fy brekke (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · fi rikkoa (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · fr contre-attaquer (to counter-attack) · pt falhar (of a voice, to alter in type due to emotion or strain [existing translations are to be checked, whether they belong to the previous sense]) · os сӕттын (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · fr se casser (intransitive, of a bone: to crack) · it fare una sosta (to interrupt or cease one's work or occupation temporarily) · hu törik (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · fi muuttua (yhtäkkiä (to suddenly become) · nl overtreden (transitive: to do that which is forbidden by (something)) · fi särkeä (to divide (money) into smaller units) · es cambiar (of a spell of weather: to end) · ru лома́ться (intransitive: to stop functioning properly or altogether) · de knacken (gaming: to design or make a powerful, unbalancing but legal move) · sq prish thyej (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · sv bryta (transitive: to do that which is forbidden by (something)) · de dämmern (of morning: to arrive) · fi nujertaa (to cause a person to lose spirit or will) · zdj upasua (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · ota قیرمق (transitive: to cause (a bone) to crack) · uz buzmoq (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · sl mutirati (of a male voice, to become deeper at puberty) · da brække (intransitive, of a bone: to crack) · it fermare (transitive: to cause to stop functioning) · fr rompre (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · enm breken (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · bg разбивам се (of a wave, to collapse into a surf) · pt trocar (to divide (money) into smaller units) · de einen Ausfall machen (to counter-attack) · kw krackya (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · ca trencar-se (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · hu megtör (to cause a person to lose spirit or will) · nds-de briäken (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · izh kateta (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · cmn 损坏 (transitive: to cause to stop functioning) · bg разбивам (to divide (money) into smaller units) · pl złamać się (intransitive, of a bone: to crack) · bg чу́пя (transitive: to cause (a bone) to crack) · ro rupe (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · et rikkuma (transitive: to do that which is forbidden by (something)) · es romper (transitive: to cause (a bone) to crack) · sh slomiti (intransitive, of a bone: to crack) · gl quebrar (transitive: to cause (a bone) to crack) · it degradare (to reduce the military rank of) · it nascere (of morning: to arrive) · de brechen (intransitive, of a bone: to crack) · fr riposter (to counter-attack) · it interrompere (to interrupt or cease one's work or occupation temporarily) · hi टूटना (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · az sınmaq (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · izh taittaa (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · ba ярылыу (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · hu elszakít (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · he הפר (transitive: to do that which is forbidden by (something)) · hu eltör (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · sk porušiť (to cause to no longer bar) · fur franzi (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · dum breken (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · es amansar (to turn an animal into a beast of burden) · lv lauzt (transitive: to cause to stop functioning) · rup frãngu (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · ko 잔꾀부리다 (gaming: to design or make a powerful, unbalancing but legal move) · ltg salauzt (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · et murduma (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · it rompere (to become audible suddenly) · hu szakít (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · sk rozdeliť (to divide (money) into smaller units) · fi lopettaa (to cause a habit to no longer exist) · ru слома́ть (transitive: to cause to stop functioning) · ky сынуу (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · fi lannistaa (to cause a person to lose spirit or will) · sk prerušiť (to change a steady state abruptly) · hu tönkretesz (transitive: to cause to stop functioning) · fi murtua (intransitive, of a bone: to crack) · hu tönkremegy (intransitive: to stop functioning properly or altogether) · ang ofbrecan (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · ko 부러뜨리다 (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · ja 破壊する (transitive: to cause to stop functioning) · hu dönt (to do better than a record) · fi hajottaa (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · tpi brukim (to divide (money) into smaller units) · cmn 折 (intransitive, of a bone: to crack) · mk ломи (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · sw kuvunjika (intransitive: to stop functioning properly or altogether) · ko 쉬다 (to interrupt or cease one's work or occupation temporarily) · ko 깨다 (transitive: to do that which is forbidden by (something)) · vi hỏng (intransitive: to stop functioning properly or altogether) · da brække (transitive: to cause (a bone) to crack) · hu megjavít (to do better than a record) · nl breken (transitive: to cause (a bone) to crack) · hu összetörik (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · ja 壊す (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · nl breken (transitive: to do that which is forbidden by (something)) · hy փչացնել (transitive: to cause to stop functioning) · it sconnettere (to end a connection) · la cōnfringō (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · th พัง (transitive: to cause to stop functioning) · ja 割る (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · fi ratkaista (gaming: to design or make a powerful, unbalancing but legal move) · it fratturare (transitive: to cause (a bone) to crack) · az fasilə etmək (to interrupt or cease one's work or occupation temporarily) · fi rikkoa (transitive: to cause to stop functioning) · pt romper (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · rup crep (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · fr révéler (to disclose or make known an item of news) · de pausieren (to interrupt or cease one's work or occupation temporarily) · fr mettre en panne (transitive: to cause to stop functioning) · da ødelægge (transitive: to cause to stop functioning) · it chiudere (to ruin financially) · pt domar (to turn an animal into a beast of burden) · sk zlomiť (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · th ละเมิด (transitive: to do that which is forbidden by (something)) · ko 부러지다 (intransitive, of a bone: to crack) · th หัก (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · fi jakaa (to divide (money) into smaller units) · as ভঙা (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · ast frañer (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · pox lümĕt (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · yi צעברעכן (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · fr se rompre (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · fr casser (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · lmo romp (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · la cōnfringō (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · ru лома́ть (transitive: to cause to stop functioning) · de wenden (to suddenly become) · kk сындыру (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · pt quebrar (intransitive, of a bone: to crack) · yi צעברעכן (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · eu puskatu (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · he שבר (transitive: to cause (a bone) to crack) · eo panei (intransitive, of a bone: to crack) · pl rozmieniać (to divide (money) into smaller units) · fr publier (to disclose or make known an item of news) · pl rozmienić (to divide (money) into smaller units) · hu felvált (to divide (money) into smaller units) · de unterbrechen (to change a steady state abruptly) · ko 쉬다 (to win a game as receiver in tennis) · rup aspargu (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · it cambiare (to divide (money) into smaller units) · da ruinere (to ruin financially) · hy կոտրել (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · da sønderslå (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · it fermare (to interrupt a fall) · hu csődbe visz (to ruin financially) · id patah (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · oc trencar (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · fr battre (to do better than a record) · it interrompere (transitive: to cause to stop functioning) · hy ջարդել (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · it contrattaccare (to counter-attack) · fr dégrader (to reduce the military rank of) · ko 부수다 (transitive: to cause to stop functioning) · gd bris (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · fi murtua (of a voice, to alter in type due to emotion or strain [existing translations are to be checked, whether they belong to the previous sense]) · pl rozbić się (of a wave, to collapse into a surf) · th หัก (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · sa भनक्ति (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · hu megtör (to change a steady state abruptly) · it addomesticare (to turn an animal into a beast of burden) · ota قیرمق (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · de anbrechen (of morning: to arrive) · nap rompe (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · it scassarsi (intransitive: to stop functioning properly or altogether) · fr outrepasser (transitive: to do that which is forbidden by (something)) · lt sulaužyti (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · hu véget ér (of a spell of weather: to end) · de überbringen (to disclose or make known an item of news) · be лама́ць (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · fi koittaa (of morning: to arrive) · ja 砕く (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · tpi brukim (transitive: to do that which is forbidden by (something)) · ja 折れる (intransitive, of a bone: to crack) · ang brecan (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · sh ломити (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · sk rozmeniť (to divide (money) into smaller units) · nrf rompre (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · pt quebrar (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · hu elkedvetlenít (to cause a person to lose spirit or will) · cs rozbít se (intransitive: to stop functioning properly or altogether) · it annientare (to cause a person to lose spirit or will) · swb upasuha (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · ko 부수다 (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · sv bryta (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · cs pokazit (transitive: to cause to stop functioning) · cs přestat fungovat (intransitive: to stop functioning properly or altogether) · cy ymdorri (intransitive, of a bone: to crack) · pt quebrar (transitive: to cause (a bone) to crack) · lv lūzt (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · th ชำรุด (transitive: to cause to stop functioning) · fr casser (transitive: to cause (a bone) to crack) · de brechen (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · tpi bruk (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · es desmoronar (to cause a person to lose spirit or will) · fi katkaista (to end a connection) · bg развалям (transitive: to cause to stop functioning) · fr faire une pause (to interrupt or cease one's work or occupation temporarily) · de brechen (transitive: to do that which is forbidden by (something)) · nl breken (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · th ชำรุด (intransitive: to stop functioning properly or altogether) · oc fragar (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · is eyðileggja (transitive: to cause to stop functioning) · pt romper (to cause a habit to no longer exist) · sv ha isär (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · hy կոտրվել (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · hu megszeg (transitive: to do that which is forbidden by (something)) · gd bris (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · fi tiltata (intransitive: to stop functioning properly or altogether) · es quebrar (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · sk zlomiť sa (intransitive, of a bone: to crack) · he שבירה (to win a game as receiver in tennis) · de brechen (to do better than a record) · ajp اِنْكَسَرَ (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · bg разбивам (billiards: to make the first shot) · fi breikata (billiards: to make the first shot) · qu p'akiy (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · de aufhören (to cause a habit to no longer exist) · it porre fine (to cause a habit to no longer exist) · ru разби́ться (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · ba ватылыу (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · pt estragar (transitive: to cause to stop functioning) · izh taittua (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · tt сындырырга (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · tr bozmak (to divide (money) into smaller units) · nds breken (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · ltg salauzeit (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · pt partir (transitive: to cause to stop functioning) · de kaputtmachen (transitive: to cause to stop functioning) · zdj uvundza (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · de zureiten (to turn an animal into a beast of burden) · sv bryta (to interrupt or cease one's work or occupation temporarily) · lv salūzt (intransitive: to stop functioning properly or altogether) · ja ひびが入る (intransitive, of a bone: to crack) · io ruptar (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · grc ῥήγνυμαι (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · de publizieren (to disclose or make known an item of news) · be злама́цца (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · hu vált (to divide (money) into smaller units) · az atmaq (to cause a habit to no longer exist) · is brjóta (intransitive: to stop functioning properly or altogether) · pt quebrar (of a wave, to collapse into a surf) · hsb złamać (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · ga bris (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · ru разоря́ть (to ruin financially) · ja 散らばる (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · vi vỡ giọng (of a male voice, to become deeper at puberty) · arz كسر (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · it oltrepassare (transitive: to do that which is forbidden by (something)) · it filtrare (to disclose or make known an item of news) · be разбі́ць (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · af breek (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · fi särkyä (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · it terminare (to end a connection) · it sospendere (to interrupt or cease one's work or occupation temporarily) · fi katkaista (transitive: to cause (a bone) to crack) · de kleinmachen (to divide (money) into smaller units) · th หยุด (to interrupt or cease one's work or occupation temporarily) · sk pokaziť (transitive: to cause to stop functioning) · ja 割れる (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · ru слома́ть (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · sl razbiti se (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · ru ломаться (of a male voice, to become deeper at puberty) · it distruggere (to cause a person to lose spirit or will) · it dissiparsi (of a spell of weather: to end) · cs zlomit se (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · osx brekan (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · grc ῥήγνυμι (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · ba һындырыу (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · goh brehhan (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · uk лама́ти (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · ka მსხვრევა (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · fi rikkoa (to divide (money) into smaller units) · fi madaltua (of a male voice, to become deeper at puberty) · fi alentaa (to reduce the military rank of) · tl sirain (transitive: to cause to stop functioning) · km បាក់ (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · fi murskata (transitive: to cause (a bone) to crack) · th ร้าว (intransitive, of a bone: to crack) · fi murtua (of a wave, to collapse into a surf) · eo rompiĝi (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · ca rompre (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · it trapelare (to disclose or make known an item of news) · as ভাঙা (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · th พัง (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · fr fracturer (transitive: to cause (a bone) to crack) · kaw tugĕl (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · pox vėzlümĕt (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · az tərgitmək (to cause a habit to no longer exist) · tpi bruk (intransitive: to stop functioning properly or altogether) · de trennen (to demulsify) · alt сынар (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · su mites (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · de einen Break machen (to win a game as receiver in tennis) · hy խախտել (transitive: to do that which is forbidden by (something)) · hu hajnalodik (of morning: to arrive) · fi murtaa (tahto) (to cause a person to lose spirit or will) · ja 壊す (transitive: to cause to stop functioning) · gd bris (intransitive, of a bone: to crack) · oc quebrar (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · he שבר (transitive: to cause to stop functioning) · hu lefokoz (to reduce the military rank of) · az sındırmaq (to cause a person to lose spirit or will) · it rompere (intransitive, of a bone: to crack) · sv ta sönder (transitive: to cause to stop functioning) · gl crebar (transitive: to cause (a bone) to crack) · de ausbrechen (to counter-attack) · es romper (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · fi hajota (to demulsify) · nl kapotmaken (transitive: to cause to stop functioning) · sk zbaviť sa (to cause a habit to no longer exist) · ja 折れる (transitive: to cause (a bone) to crack) · lv beigties (of a spell of weather: to end) · pl rozbić się (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · hy կոտրվել (intransitive, of a bone: to crack) · oc esberlar (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · fr casser (to demulsify) · es quebrantar (transitive: to do that which is forbidden by (something)) · mt nkiser (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · hu elromlik (intransitive: to stop functioning properly or altogether) · az pozmaq (transitive: to do that which is forbidden by (something)) · de knacken (to cause to no longer bar) · es domar (to turn an animal into a beast of burden) · hu feltör (to cause to no longer bar) · zdj huungua (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · hy կոտրատել (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · pt partir (intransitive: to stop functioning properly or altogether) · fi murtaa (to cause to no longer bar) · fi pitää tauko (to interrupt or cease one's work or occupation temporarily) · da degradere (to reduce the military rank of) · tr bozulmak (intransitive: to stop functioning properly or altogether) · vi bị bể (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · be разбіва́цца (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · es estropearse (of a spell of weather: to end) · sk zlomiť (to cause a person to lose spirit or will) · hy ջարդվել (intransitive, of a bone: to crack) · km បែក (intransitive: to separate into (to end up in) two or more pieces) · tl basagin (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · is brotna (of a wave, to collapse into a surf) · de zum Gegenangriff ansetzen (to counter-attack) · hu szünetet tart (to interrupt or cease one's work or occupation temporarily) · cmn 破戒 (transitive: to do that which is forbidden by (something)) · mi whakararata (to turn an animal into a beast of burden) · it esaurirsi (of a spell of weather: to end) · nl breken (transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces) · fi uutisoida (to disclose or make known an item of news)
Etymology tree
English break
Middle English doun
English down
English break downdeverb.
English breakdownclip.
English break
Clipping of breakdown (the percussion break of songs chosen by a DJ for use in hip-hop music) and see also breakdancing.
Meanings
A section of extended repetition of the percussion break to a song, created by a hip-hop DJ as rhythmic dance music.
The smooth criminal on beat breaks / Never put me in your box if your shit eats tapes 1994, “N.Y. State of Mind”, in Illmatic, performed by Nas:
Etymology tree
English break
Middle English doun
English down
English break downdeverb.
English breakdownclip.
English break
Clipping of breakdown (the percussion break of songs chosen by a DJ for use in hip-hop music) and see also breakdancing.
Meanings
(slang) To B-boy; to breakdance.
Let the poppers pop and the breakers break / We're cool, cool cats, it's like that 1985, “King of Rock”, performed by Run-DMC:
(qualifier:mainly historical or a misspelling, rare) To brake.
Breaking heavily, now on a 1 in 39 gradient, the train makes as if to cross the Tamar at once, only to swing sharply to the right, […]. 1951 July, R. E. G. Read, “From Bere Alston to Callington”, in Railway Magazine, page 482: