|
|
1.
some abrupt occurrence that interrupts an ongoing activity
there was a break in the action when a player was hurt
2.
an unexpected piece of good luck
he finally got his big break
3.
(geology) a crack in the earth's crust resulting from the displacement of one side with respect to the other
4.
a personal or social separation (as between opposing factions)
they hoped to avoid a break in relations
5.
a pause from doing something (as work)
we took a 10-minute break
6.
the act of breaking something
7.
a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something
8.
breaking of hard tissue such as bone
the break seems to have been caused by a fall
9.
the occurrence of breaking
the break in the dam threatened the valley
10.
an abrupt change in the tone or register of the voice (as at puberty or due to emotion)
then there was a break in her voice
11.
the opening shot that scatters the balls in billiards or pool
12.
(tennis) a score consisting of winning a game when your opponent was serving
he was up two breaks in the second set
13.
an act of delaying or interrupting the continuity
it was presented without commercial breaks
14.
a sudden dash
he made a break for the open door
15.
any frame in which a bowler fails to make a strike or spare
the break in the eighth frame cost him the match
16.
an escape from jail
'break' - used as a verb
17.
terminate
break a lucky streak
break the cycle of poverty
18.
become separated into pieces or fragments
The figurine broke
19.
destroy the integrity of; usually by force; cause to separate into pieces or fragments
He broke the glass plate
She broke the match
20.
render inoperable or ineffective
You broke the alarm clock when you took it apart!
21.
ruin completely
22.
act in disregard of laws, rules, contracts, or promises
break a law
break a promise
23.
move away or escape suddenly
The horses broke from the stable
Three inmates broke jail
Nobody can break out--this prison is high security
24.
scatter or part
The clouds broke after the heavy downpour
25.
force out or release suddenly and often violently something pent up
break into tears
26.
prevent completion
break off the negotiations
27.
enter someone's property in an unauthorized manner, usually with the intent to steal or commit a violent act
Someone broke in while I was on vacation
They broke into my car and stole my radio!
28.
make submissive, obedient, or useful
The horse was tough to break
I broke in the new intern
29.
fail to agree with; be in violation of; as of rules or patterns
30.
surpass in excellence
break a record
31.
make known to the public information that was previously known only to a few people or that was meant to be kept a secret
he broke the news to her
32.
come into being
light broke over the horizon
Voices broke in the air
33.
stop operating or functioning
The bus we travelled in broke down on the way to town
The coffee maker broke
34.
interrupt a continued activity
35.
make a rupture in the ranks of the enemy or one's own by quitting or fleeing
The ranks broke
36.
curl over and fall apart in surf or foam, of waves
The surf broke
37.
lessen in force or effect
break a fall
38.
be broken in
If the new teacher won't break, we'll add some stress
39.
come to an end
The heat wave finally broke yesterday
40.
vary or interrupt a uniformity or continuity
41.
cause to give up a habit
She finally broke herself of smoking cigarettes
42.
give up
break cigarette smoking
43.
come forth or begin from a state of latency
The first winter storm broke over New York
44.
happen or take place
Things have been breaking pretty well for us in the past few months
45.
cause the failure or ruin of
His peccadilloes finally broke his marriage
This play will either make or break the playwright
46.
invalidate by judicial action
47.
discontinue an association or relation; go different ways
The business partners broke over a tax question
48.
assign to a lower position; reduce in rank
49.
reduce to bankruptcy
My daughter's fancy wedding is going to break me!
50.
change directions suddenly
51.
emerge from the surface of a body of water
The whales broke
52.
break down, literally or metaphorically
The dam broke
53.
do a break dance
Kids were break-dancing at the street corner
54.
exchange for smaller units of money
I had to break a $100 bill just to buy the candy
55.
destroy the completeness of a set of related items
The book dealer would not break the set
56.
make the opening shot that scatters the balls
57.
separate from a clinch, in boxing
The referee broke the boxers
58.
go to pieces
The lawn mower finally broke
59.
break a piece from a whole
break a branch from a tree
60.
become punctured or penetrated
The skin broke
61.
pierce or penetrate
The blade broke her skin
62.
be released or become known; of news
News of her death broke in the morning
63.
cease an action temporarily
let's break for lunch
64.
interrupt the flow of current in
break a circuit
65.
undergo breaking
The simple vowels broke in many Germanic languages
66.
find a flaw in
break an alibi
break down a proof
67.
find the solution or key to
break the code
68.
change suddenly from one tone quality or register to another
Her voice broke to a whisper when she started to talk about her children
69.
happen
70.
become fractured; break or crack on the surface only
71.
crack; of the male voice in puberty
his voice is breaking--he should no longer sing in the choir
72.
fall sharply
stock prices broke
73.
fracture a bone of
I broke my foot while playing hockey
74.
diminish or discontinue abruptly
The patient's fever broke last night
75.
weaken or destroy in spirit or body
|
derived forms
|
1. Break / Plural
breaks
2. Break / Past
broke
3. Break / Third Person
breaks
4. Break / Present Participle
breaking
5. Break / Past Participle
broken
|
|
|
|
