break
- noun
- /breɪk/
- After the accident, the doctor confirmed that he had a break in his arm that would require surgery.
- a pipe break
- break in the skin
- a levee break
Examples
-
The docs tell me I miraculously escaped any major injuries, just a small break to my tailbone and a tiny, tiny fracture in my skull.
-
It's a clean break right across the fibula.
-
Maybe we should take a break.
-
I want a clean break.
-
The students are still away for the winter break, and most of the doors are locked.
Fiction book (1994) -
The car dipped at the edge of a washed-out break in the road.
Fiction book (1997) -
The news reported a significant break in the water main, causing flooding in several neighborhoods.
-
The athlete suffered a break in his leg during the game, which will keep him out for several months.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms
To overcome barriers that stop women or minority groups getting higher jobs
- Informal
A sudden time when many people lose control and chaos starts
- Informal
To do new or difficult things on purpose to learn and grow
A phrase that says hurt to the body is worse than insults and words do not hurt
Compounds
- Specialized
A smaller tax people or companies must pay to encourage certain activities
- Jargon
A quick attack where a team moves fast down the court to score before the defense sets up
How Severe
- Specialized
- Specialized
- Specialized
Surface Forms
Etymology
Break comes from an old English word brecan meaning 'to crack' or 'split'. A 'break' in something is the act of it splitting or fracturing, like a broken bone.