break
/brāk/
verb
- separate or cause to separate into pieces as a result of a blow, shock, or strain."the branch broke with a loud snap"synonyms: shatter, smash, smash to smithereens, crack, snap, fracture, fragment, splinter, disintegrate, fall to bits, fall to pieces, split, burst, blow out, tear, rend, sever, rupture, separate, divide, bust, shiver
- interrupt (a sequence, course, or continuous state)."this broke the pattern of generations remaining in the place where they were born"synonyms: interrupt, disturb, interfere with
- fail to observe (a law, regulation, or agreement)."the district attorney says she will prosecute retailers who break the law"synonyms: contravene, violate, fail to comply with, fail to observe, disobey, infringe, breach, commit a breach of, transgress against, defy, flout, fly in the face of, ignore, disregard, infract
- crush the emotional strength, spirit, or resistance of."the idea was to better the prisoners, not to break them"
- (of the weather) change suddenly."the weather broke and thunder rumbled through a leaden sky"synonyms: change, undergo a change, alter, shift, metamorphose
- (of news or a scandal) suddenly become public."since the news broke I've received thousands of wonderful letters"synonyms: erupt, burst out, break out
- (chiefly of an attacking player or team, or of a military force) make a rush or dash in a particular direction."the flight broke to the right and formed a defensive circle"
noun
- an interruption of continuity or uniformity."the magazine has been published without a break since 1950"synonyms: interruption, interval, gap, hiatus, lapse of time, lacuna, discontinuation, discontinuance, discontinuity, suspension, disruption, cutoff, stop, stoppage, cessation, caesura, surcease
- a pause in work or during an activity or event."I need a break from mental activity"synonyms: rest, respite, interval, breathing space, lull, recess, stop, pause, tea break, coffee break, intermission, interlude, entr'acte, breather, letup, time out, downtime, smoko
- a gap or opening."he stopped to wait for a break in the traffic"synonyms: gap, opening, space, hole, breach, chink, crack, fissure, cleft, rift, chasm, tear, split, slit, rent, rupture
- an instance of breaking something, or the point where something is broken."a break in the valve was being repaired"
- a rush or dash in a particular direction, especially by an attacking player or team."he made a bounce pass for a basket on the break in the second quarter"
- an opportunity or chance, especially one leading to professional success."he got his break as an entertainer on a TV music hall show"synonyms: opportunity, stroke of luck, chance, opening, foot in the door
- a consecutive series of successful shots, scoring a specified number of points."a break of 83 put him in front for the first time"
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May 21, 2024 · verb ; a · to come apart or split into pieces : fragment, shatter. the cup broke when it fell ; b · to open spontaneously or by pressure from within.
to stop having a close relationship with someone, especially stop living with them, or to change a course of action that you have had for a long time:.
broke; break·ing. to smash, split, or divide into parts violently; reduce to pieces or fragments: He broke a vase. Synonyms: shiver, splinter, fracture.
When you break something, you ruin it. When you take a break, you stop and rest. If you play catch during your lunch break, try not to break any windows.
break means to divide by means of a blow, a collision, a pull, or the like: to break a chair, a leg, a strap. To crush is to subject to (usually heavy or ...
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[countable] a short period of time when you stop what you are doing and rest, eat, etc. She was on her lunch break. a coffee/tea break; Let's take a break.
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definition 1: to cause to come apart into pieces; smash. She broke the nutshell with a hammer.
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break verb (REST). B1. to stop the activity you are doing to have a short rest: Let's break for five minutes and have a drink.
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break entry 2 (in sense "solo instrumental passage") + -ing entry 1; from the performance of acrobatic dances during a cued series of instrumental breaks in ...
adjective. (of a news story) currently developing or having happened recently and being released for publication or airing, as on television or radio, in print ...