WordGarden.iobreak
A1Pronunciation
UK
- /brˈeɪk/
US
- /ˈbreɪk/
Meanings
Verb
to separate into pieces or stop working because of damage
to interrupt or stop an activity, pattern, or continuous state
to violate a law, rule, promise, or agreement
More meaningsFewer meanings
to become known or make news public for the first time
Noun
a short pause or period of rest
a lucky chance or helpful opportunity
Beyond the definition
"Break" is one of those words that does a lot. It can mean to shatter something—like a vase that falls from a table. But it also means to pause, like stepping away from work for some fresh air. A "break" in the clouds can open a path for sunshine, and a lucky "break" can open a door to new opportunities, like a breakthrough at work.
Think of a wave breaking on the shore—it's a sudden disruption. Or think of a detective trying to break a case; they are pushing through clues until they solve it. You can even break a habit by stopping a repeated action. The word signals a shift from one state to another, whether the change is physical damage or a temporary pause.
The word "break" is surprisingly multifaceted, often signaling change, disruption, or relief. At its core it means to cause something to split, crack, or snap, either physically or figuratively. "He accidentally broke the lamp" is the clearest physical example.
As a verb it also means to stop or interrupt an activity: you might break from your routine for a walk, break up with someone, or break a bad habit. At work, many people use "break" as a noun too, talking about a short rest such as a "coffee break."
As a noun, it can describe an opening, gap, or pause: a break in the fence, a break in the clouds, or a break in traffic. In everyday speech, it often points to a stroke of good fortune, as in a "big break" or "a break in your favor."
The word also has specialized uses. In music, a break is a short instrumental passage, while in sports a break of serve refers to a game won on your opponent's serve.
So whether you are talking about cracked glass, a paused routine, a welcome chance, or a literal gap, "break" carries the idea of a shift from one state to another.
Examples
- 1
Fragile object
Be careful with that plate or you'll break it.
- 2
Phone damage
I dropped my phone, and the screen broke.
- 3
Rest period
Let's take a ten-minute break and then continue.
- 4
Promise
He broke his promise and didn't show up.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Rules
If you break the rules, you can't stay in the game.
- 6
Vehicle trouble
My car broke down on the way to work.
- Phrasebreak down
stop working
- 7
Crime context
Someone tried to break into the shop last night.
- Patternbreak into + place
enter by force
- 8
Romantic relationship
They broke up after five years together.
- Phrasebreak up
end a romantic relationship
- 9
Sudden crying
The little boy broke into tears when he couldn't find his mother.
- Phrasebreak into tears
suddenly start crying
- 10
Upsetting news
I didn't know how to break the news to her.
- Patternbreak the news to + person
tell someone important or upsetting news
- 11
Sports record
She broke the school record in the 100 meters.
- 12
Silence
After a long pause, he finally broke the silence.
- Phrasebreak the silence
start speaking after everyone has been quiet
See also
Forms and spellings
5 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- breaknounverb
Forms
- brokenpast participleverbnoun
- brokepast tenseverbnoun
- breaking-ing formverbnoun
- breakspluralnounverb