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bio-break

bio-break

1 8.6
A short break to use the toilet or take care of personal needs
  • noun
  • /ˈbaɪoʊˌbreɪk/
  • Informal
translation icon : descanso biológico
  • After discussing the project for an hour, he needed a bio-break before continuing.

Examples

  • During the long flight, we took a short bio-break to stretch our legs and refresh ourselves.

  • The other thing they fail to understand is the amount of business that gets done outside of the actual conference room when everyone is networking and discussing what they just learned during coffee and bio breaks.

    Blog text (15)
  • The team agreed to schedule a bio-break every hour to ensure everyone was comfortable.

Synonyms

break
vsbio-break
1.0

A short rest from work or activity

is specifically an informal pause for bodily needs rather than any rest
bathroom break
vsbio-break
  • US
13 1.2

A short pause to use the toilet

is a more informal, playful word for the same pause
comfort break
vsbio-break
  • UK
3.7

A short pause to use the toilet or have a brief rest

is more informal and focuses on biological needs rather than general rest

How Long

break
1.0
bio-break
  • Informal
1 8.6
quick breather
  • Informal
1 3.0

Surface Forms

bio-break singular
bio-breaks plural

Morphology

bio-break = break (semi-transparent) = bio + break

The word is built from bio- plus break, and the overall meaning is fairly guessable, but it is a slangy euphemism for a break taken for bodily needs.

Etymology

Bio-break joins bio- and break. The bio- part means 'life' and you see it in biology, and break means 'pause'. So a bio-break is a short pause for 'life' needs, like using the toilet or getting a drink.