1an interruption of continuity or uniformity:the magazine has been published without a break since 1950
an act of separating oneself from a pre-existing state of affairs:a break with the past
a change in the weather:a week or so may pass without a break in the weather
[with modifier] a change of line, paragraph, or page:dotted lines on the screen show page breaks
a change of tone in a person’s voice due to emotion:there was a break in her voice now
an interruption in an electric circuit.
(also break of serve or service break) Tennis the winning of a game against an opponent’s serve.
2a pause in work or during an activity or event:I need a break from mental activitythose returning to work after a career breaka coffee break
British an interval during the school day:the bell went for break
a short holiday:a weekend break in the Cotswolds
a short solo or instrumental passage in jazz or popular music.
(breaks) dance music featuring breakbeats.
3a gap or opening:the track bends left through a break in the hedgehe stopped to wait for a break in the traffic
4an instance of breaking something, or the point where something is broken:he was stretchered off with a break to the leg
5a rush or dash in a particular direction, especially by an attacking player or team:Norwich scored on a rare break with 11 minutes left
informal an escape, typically from prison.
Cricket a change in the direction of a bowled ball on bouncing.
6 informal an opportunity or chance, especially one leading to professional success:his big break came when a critic gave him a rave review
7 Snooker & Billiards a consecutive series of successful shots, scoring a specified number of points:a break of 83 put him in front for the first time
a player’s turn to make the opening shot of a game:whose break is it?
8a bud or shoot sprouting from a stem.
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Universal
1separate into pieces as a result of a blow, shock, or strain: [no object]:the rope broke with a loud snap [with object]:windows in the street were broken by the blast
sustain an injury involving the fracture of a bone or bones in a part of the body: [with object]:she had broken her leg in two places [no object]:what if his leg had broken?
[with object] cause a cut or graze in (the skin):the bite had scarcely broken the skin
make or become inoperative: [no object]:the machine has broken and they can’t fix it until next week [with object]:he’s broken the video
[no object] (of the amniotic fluid surrounding a fetus) be discharged when the sac is ruptured in the first stages of labour:she realized her waters had broken
[with object] informal open (a safe) forcibly.
[with object] use (a banknote) to pay for something and receive change out of the transaction:she had to break a tenner
[no object] (of two boxers or wrestlers) come out of a clinch, especially at the referee’s command:I was acting as referee and telling them to break
[no object] make the first stroke at the beginning of a game of billiards, pool, or snooker.
[with object] unfurl (a flag or sail).
[with object] succeed in deciphering (a code):ciphers are easily broken by the new wonder machines
[with object] disprove (an alibi).
2 [with object] interrupt (a continuity, sequence, or course):the new government broke the pattern of growthhis concentration was broken by a sound
put an end to (a silence) by speaking or making contact:it was some time before he broke the silence
chiefly British make a pause in (a journey):we will break our journey in Venice
[no object] stop proceedings in order to have a pause or vacation:at mid-morning they broke for coffee
lessen the impact of (a fall):she put out an arm to break her fall
disconnect or interrupt (an electric circuit):a multimeter able to measure current without having to break the circuit under test
stop oneself being subject to (a habit):try to break the habit of adding salt at the table
surpass (a record):the film broke box office records in the US
3 [with object] fail to observe (a law, regulation, or agreement):the council says it will prosecute traders who break the lawa legally binding contract which can only be broken by mutual consent
fail to continue with (a self-imposed discipline):diets started without preparation are broken all the time
4 [with object] crush the emotional strength, spirit, or resistance of:the idea was to better the prisoners, not to break them
[no object] (of a person’s emotional strength or control) give way:her self-control finally broke
destroy the power of (a movement or organization):strategies used to break the union
destroy the effectiveness of (a strike), typically by moving in other people to replace the striking workers:a government threat to use the army to break the strike
5 [no object] undergo a change or enter a new state, in particular:
(of the weather) change suddenly, especially after a fine spell:the weather broke and thunder rumbled through a leaden sky
(of a storm) begin violently:when all were aboard, the storm broke
(of dawn or a day) begin as the sun rises:dawn was just breaking
(of clouds) move apart and begin to disperse:on the seventh of September the clouds broke for the first time
(of waves) curl over and dissolve into foam:the Caribbean sea was breaking gently on the shore
(of a person’s voice) falter and change tone, due to emotion:her voice broke as she relived the experience
(of a boy’s voice) change in tone and register at puberty:after his voice broke, he left the choir
Phonetics (of a vowel) develop into a diphthong, under the influence of an adjacent sound.
(of prices on the stock exchange) fall sharply.
6 [no object] (of news or a scandal) suddenly become public:since the news broke I’ve received thousands of wonderful letters
[with object] (break something to) make bad news known to (someone):he was trying to break the terrible news gently to his father
7 [no object, with adverbial] (chiefly of an attacking player or team, or of a military force) make a rush or dash in a particular direction:Mitchell won possession and broke quickly, allowing Hughes to score
(of a bowled cricket ball) change direction on bouncing, due to spin.
Sport (of the ball) rebound unpredictably:the ball broke to Craig but his shot rebounded from the post
break one's back
put great effort into achieving something:as soon as we finished I’d break my back to get home to her
break the back of
accomplish the main or hardest part of (a task):we’ve broken the back of the problem
overwhelm or defeat:I thought we really had broken the back of inflation
a complete separation from a situation or relationship:Dan decided it was best to make a clean break with the past
give someone a break
informal
stop putting pressure on someone about something:give the poor guy a break
(give me a break) used to express contemptuous disagreement or disbelief about what has been said:He’s seven times as quick and he’s only 20 years old—give me a break!
make a break for
make a sudden dash in the direction of, especially in a bid to escape:he made a break for the door
that's (or them's) the breaks
North American informal that’s the way things turn out (used to express resigned acceptance of a situation).
break away
escape from someone’s hold:Anna attempted to break away, but he held her tight
escape from the control of a person, group, or practice:an attempt to break away from the elitism that has dominated the book trade
(of a competitor in a race) move into the lead:he broke away and opened up a 40-second lead
break down
1(of a machine or motor vehicle) suddenly cease to function:his van broke down
(of a relationship, agreement, or process) cease to continue; collapse:pay negotiations with management broke down
lose control of one’s emotions when in a state of distress:the old woman broke down in tears
(of a person’s health or emotional control) fail or collapse:his health broke down under the strain of overworkJanet’s normal self-control and impassiveness had broken down utterly
2undergo chemical decomposition:waste products which break down into low-level toxic materials
break something down
1demolish a door or other barrier:they had to get the police to break the door down figurativeclass barriers can be broken down by educational reform
2separate something into a number of parts:each tutorial is broken down into more manageable units
analyse information:bar graphs show how the information can be broken down
convert a substance into simpler compounds by chemical action:almost every natural substance can be broken down by bacteria
break forth
burst out suddenly; emerge:having to control the chaos that might break forth
1force entry to a building:would-be thieves had smashed the door lock in an attempt to break in
2 [with direct speech] interject:‘I don’t want to interfere,’ Mrs Hendry broke inthe doctor’s voice broke in on her thoughts
break someone in
1familiarize someone with a new job or situation:there was no time to break in a new foreign minister
2 (break a horse in) accustom a horse to a saddle and bridle, and to being ridden:I break in my dad’s horses
break something in
wear something, typically a pair of new shoes, until it becomes supple and comfortable.
break into
1enter or open (a place, vehicle, or container) forcibly, especially for the purposes of theft:two raiders broke into his homea friend of mine had his car broken into
succeed in winning a share of (a market or a position in a profession):foreign companies have largely failed to break into the domestic-equity business
interrupt (a conversation):Phil broke into the discussion
2suddenly or unexpectedly burst forth into (laughter or song):he broke into a fit of choking laughter
(of a person’s face or mouth) relax into (a smile):John’s face broke into a grin
3change one’s pace to (a faster one):Greg broke into a sprint
break off
1become severed:the fuselage had broken off just behind the pilot’s seat
2abruptly stop talking:she broke off, stifling a sob
break something off
1remove something from a larger unit or whole:Tucker broke off a piece of bread
2abruptly end or discontinue something:Britain threatened to break off diplomatic relations
break out
1(of war, fighting, or similarly undesirable things) start suddenly:forest fires have broken out across Indonesia
(of a physical discomfort) suddenly manifest itself:prickles of sweat had broken out along her backbone
2escape:a prisoner broke out of his cell
break out in
be suddenly affected by an unpleasant sensation or condition:she had broken out in a rash
break something out
informal open and start using something:it was time to break out the champagne
break through
make or force a way through (a barrier):demonstrators attempted to break through the police linesthe sun might break through in a few spots
achieve success in a particular area:so many talented players are struggling to break through
break up
disintegrate or disperse:the grey clouds had begun to break up
(of a gathering or collective) disband; end:after about an hour, the meeting broke up
chiefly British end the school term:we broke up for the summer
(of a couple in a relationship) part company:I was heartbroken when we broke up
(of a radio or telephone signal) be interrupted by interference.
chiefly North American start laughing uncontrollably:the whole cast broke up
chiefly North American become emotionally upset.
break someone up
chiefly North American cause someone to become extremely upset:seeing the children again nearly broke her up
break something up
cause something to separate into several pieces, parts, or sections:break up the chocolate and place it in a bowlhe intends to break the company up into strategic business units
cut something up for scrap metal:she was towed to Bo’Ness and broken up
disperse or put an end to a gathering:police broke up a demonstration in the capital
cause a relationship to dissolve:I’m not going to let you break up my marriage
bring a social event or meeting to an end by being the first person to leave:Richard was sorry to break up the party
break with
quarrel or cease relations with (someone):he had broken with his family long before
act in a way that is not in accordance with (a custom or tradition):institutions which are dynamically prepared to break with tradition
