break

verb
UK: /breɪk/
US: /breɪk/

  1. To separate into pieces or to stop working.

    1. Don't break the glass Its fragile. [ ] [ ]
    2. If you drop that vase, it will break into many pieces on the floor. [ ] [ ]

  2. To interrupt or discontinue something.

    1. Please don't break my concentration. [ ] [ ]
    2. The news report broke into the regularly scheduled program. [ ] [ ]

  3. To fail to keep a promise or agreement.

    1. I didn't want to break my promise. [ ] [ ]
    2. He had to break his word when his plans drastically changed. [ ] [ ]

Synonyms

fracture rupture split lull rest chance pause
break noun

  1. A pause or interruption in activity or work.

    1. Let's take a break for lunch. [ ] [ ]
    2. We had a short coffee break during the meeting to refresh ourselves. [ ] [ ]

  2. An opportunity or lucky chance.

    1. He finally got his big break. [ ] [ ]
    2. She needed a lucky break to advance in her competitive career. [ ] [ ]

  3. A gap or opening.

    1. I saw a break in the fence. [ ] [ ]
    2. The climbers found a break in the weather and decided to go on. [ ] [ ]
break phrasal-verb

  1. To suddenly start doing something.

    1. We broke into a run. [ ] [ ]
    2. The crowd broke into applause after the singer hit the high note. [ ] [ ]

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "break" in English means: To separate into pieces or to stop working., To interrupt or discontinue something., To fail to keep a promise or agreement..

The phonetic transcription of "break" is /breɪk/ in British English and /breɪk/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "break": fracture, rupture, split, lull, rest, chance, pause.

Example usage of "break": "Don't break the glass Its fragile.". More examples on the page.