break
/breɪk/
noun
- A pause or rest from work or activity.
- She took a break from social media for a month.
- The workers get a 15-minute break in the morning.
- I need a break from studying; let's go for a walk.
- A fracture or crack in something, especially a bone.
- There is a small break in the pipe where water is leaking.
- The X-ray showed a clean break in his arm.
- The doctor said the break would heal in six weeks.
- A change or interruption in a continuous situation or pattern.
- A break in the clouds let the sunlight through.
- There was a break in the conversation when the phone rang.
- The sudden break in the weather brought heavy rain.
- An opportunity or chance, especially a lucky one.
- Sometimes you just need a lucky break to succeed.
- She got her big break when a director noticed her in a small play.
- He never got a fair break in that company.
verb
- To separate into pieces or stop working, usually by force or pressure.
- The old toy broke after the child dropped it on the floor.
- If you pull too hard, the rope will break.
- Be careful not to break the glass when you wash it.
- To stop doing something for a period of time; to interrupt an activity.
- Let's break for lunch and meet back here in an hour.
- The teacher told the students to break into small groups.
- She decided to break her workout into two shorter sessions.
- To fail to obey or follow a rule, law, or promise.
- She never breaks her promises to her friends.
- If you break the contract, you may have to pay a penalty.
- He was fined for breaking the speed limit.
- To become known or to make something known, especially news or a record.
- She broke the world record in the 100-meter dash.
- I hate to break the bad news, but the event is canceled.
- The news story broke early this morning on all major networks.
- To damage or weaken someone's spirit, health, or resistance.
- Prisoners were tortured in an attempt to break them.
- The long illness nearly broke his spirit.
- Constant criticism can break a person's confidence.