Break
verb
To separate into pieces as a result of a blow, shock, or strain.
He used a hammer to break the window.
Often appears as...
- break the glass
- break a leg
verb
To interrupt or disturb.
You broke my concentration!
Often appears as...
- break the silence
- break the news
verb
To fail to observe a law, agreement, or code of conduct.
He broke the law by stealing.
Often appears as...
- break the law
- break an agreement
Usage tips
Disapproving
noun
An interruption of continuity or uniformity.
Let's take a break.
Often appears as...
- take a break
- lunch break
verb
To stop working because of damage or wear.
My laptop suddenly broke.
Often appears as...
- break down
- break apart
verb
To separate into pieces as a result of a blow, shock, or strain.
He used a hammer to break the window.
Often appears as...
- break the glass
- break a leg
verb
To interrupt or disturb.
You broke my concentration!
Often appears as...
- break the silence
- break the news
verb
To fail to observe a law, agreement, or code of conduct.
He broke the law by stealing.
Often appears as...
- break the law
- break an agreement
Usage tips
Disapproving
noun
An interruption of continuity or uniformity.
Let's take a break.
Often appears as...
- take a break
- lunch break
verb
To stop working because of damage or wear.
My laptop suddenly broke.
Often appears as...
- break down
- break apart
Definition 1 of 5
Pro Tip 1/3Physical Force
The verb implies an action causing something to split into parts, often suddenly.
She accidentally dropped the vase, and it broke into pieces.
Pro Tip 2/3Emotional Impact
When something important breaks, it often makes people feel sad or upset.
When her cherished photo frame broke, Mia was heartbroken.
Pro Tip 3/3Metaphorical Use
The word can describe non-physical events, representing rupture or failure.
Their constant arguing finally broke their partnership.
Pro Tip 1/3Physical Force
The verb implies an action causing something to split into parts, often suddenly.
She accidentally dropped the vase, and it broke into pieces.
Pro Tip 2/3Emotional Impact
When something important breaks, it often makes people feel sad or upset.
When her cherished photo frame broke, Mia was heartbroken.
Pro Tip 3/3Metaphorical Use
The word can describe non-physical events, representing rupture or failure.
Their constant arguing finally broke their partnership.
Pro Tip 1/3Physical Force
The verb implies an action causing something to split into parts, often suddenly.
She accidentally dropped the vase, and it broke into pieces.
Pro Tip 2/3Emotional Impact
When something important breaks, it often makes people feel sad or upset.
When her cherished photo frame broke, Mia was heartbroken.
Pro Tip 3/3Metaphorical Use
The word can describe non-physical events, representing rupture or failure.
Their constant arguing finally broke their partnership.
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Video examples
What is depression? -...
these first steps can seem insurmountable. If they feel guilty or ashamed, point out that depression is a medical condition, just like asthma or diabetes. It's not a weakness or a personality trait, and they shouldn't expect themselves to just get over it anymore than they could will themselves to get over a broken arm.
Video examples
Handraising Twin Tiger...
whereas this one's a bit more broken. It looks like a spot. So, we're calling this one Spot for the time being and this one Stripe. And he tends to have a little bit more of a feisty character than his brother. He is going to be a challenge, I can see it already. See what I mean about being stroppy? Aren't you? Yeah.
Video examples
The five major world...
Then he overheard a music teacher telling a student, "Don't tighten the string too much, it will break. But don't let it go too slack, or it will not sound." In a flash, he realized that looking for answers at the extremes was a mistake. The middle way between luxury and poverty seemed wisest.
Video examples
Why are sloths so slow?...
They descend from the canopy just once a week for a bathroom break. When sloths do move, it's not very fast. It would take a sloth about five minutes to cross an average neighborhood street. This unhurried approach to life means that sloths don't need very much muscle.
Video examples
How to build a fictional...
that draw out the details of my fictional world. What rules are in place here? This covers everything from laws of gravity, or not, to the rules of society and the punishments for individuals who break them. What kind of government does this world have?
Video examples
The psychological weight...
so thank you very much so if any of you have a health issue that you need to deal with or a life change you need to deal with i urge you to imagine your healthy future self and start living that life now break your journey down into little battles
Video examples
Plato’s Allegory of the...
a glimmer of light may punch a hole in your most basic assumptions. Will you break free to struggle towards the light, even if it costs you your friends and family, or stick with comfortable and familiar illusions? Truth or habit? Light or shadow?
Video examples
Can you solve the virus...
all the sample vials have broken. The virus is contained for now, but unless you can destroy it, the vents will soon open and unleash a deadly airborne plague. Without hesitation, you grab your HazMat suit and get ready to save the world.
Video examples
Ze Frank: Are you human?
Yes, it's safe here. Have you ever hoped that there was some ability you hadn't discovered yet that you were just naturally great at? Mmm. Have you ever broken something in real life, and then found yourself looking
Video examples
Own the Room PIPE Official...
i believe that we were all brought into this universe for purpose you exist for a very definite reason if opportunity won't knock in your door break them all
Video examples
What is depression? -...
these first steps can seem insurmountable. If they feel guilty or ashamed, point out that depression is a medical condition, just like asthma or diabetes. It's not a weakness or a personality trait, and they shouldn't expect themselves to just get over it anymore than they could will themselves to get over a broken arm.
Video examples
Handraising Twin Tiger...
whereas this one's a bit more broken. It looks like a spot. So, we're calling this one Spot for the time being and this one Stripe. And he tends to have a little bit more of a feisty character than his brother. He is going to be a challenge, I can see it already. See what I mean about being stroppy? Aren't you? Yeah.
Video examples
The five major world...
Then he overheard a music teacher telling a student, "Don't tighten the string too much, it will break. But don't let it go too slack, or it will not sound." In a flash, he realized that looking for answers at the extremes was a mistake. The middle way between luxury and poverty seemed wisest.
Video examples
Why are sloths so slow?...
They descend from the canopy just once a week for a bathroom break. When sloths do move, it's not very fast. It would take a sloth about five minutes to cross an average neighborhood street. This unhurried approach to life means that sloths don't need very much muscle.
Video examples
How to build a fictional...
that draw out the details of my fictional world. What rules are in place here? This covers everything from laws of gravity, or not, to the rules of society and the punishments for individuals who break them. What kind of government does this world have?
Video examples
The psychological weight...
so thank you very much so if any of you have a health issue that you need to deal with or a life change you need to deal with i urge you to imagine your healthy future self and start living that life now break your journey down into little battles
Video examples
Plato’s Allegory of the...
a glimmer of light may punch a hole in your most basic assumptions. Will you break free to struggle towards the light, even if it costs you your friends and family, or stick with comfortable and familiar illusions? Truth or habit? Light or shadow?
Video examples
Can you solve the virus...
all the sample vials have broken. The virus is contained for now, but unless you can destroy it, the vents will soon open and unleash a deadly airborne plague. Without hesitation, you grab your HazMat suit and get ready to save the world.
Video examples
Ze Frank: Are you human?
Yes, it's safe here. Have you ever hoped that there was some ability you hadn't discovered yet that you were just naturally great at? Mmm. Have you ever broken something in real life, and then found yourself looking
Video examples
Own the Room PIPE Official...
i believe that we were all brought into this universe for purpose you exist for a very definite reason if opportunity won't knock in your door break them all
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Dustin Hoffman
American Actor
Well first of all, it's hard to shoot a movie and break for a long time and then come back and do, in a sense, one of the biggest scenes that each character had.
Quote examples
Ernest Hemingway
American Novelist
The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places.
Quote examples
Saint Francis de Sales
Swiss Clergyman
Friendships begun in this world will be taken up again, never to be broken off.
Quote examples
Michael McKean
American Actor
That's a job that it makes a few friendships, but it probably breaks more.
Quote examples
Megyn Kelly
American Journalist
In TV, a woman helping another woman break in? Not that common.
Quote examples
Amanda McBroom
American Musician
It's the heart afraid of breaking that never learns to dance.
Quote examples
Mark Spitz
American Athlete
Life is true to form; records are meant to be broken.
Quote examples
Peggy Whitson
American Astronaut
I learned to not be afraid to fix things that break.
Quote examples
Julian Casablancas
American Musician
A band is a good way to break up a friendship.
Quote examples
Tionne Watkins
American Musician
TLC never broke up. We are sisters for life.
Quote examples
Dustin Hoffman
American Actor
Well first of all, it's hard to shoot a movie and break for a long time and then come back and do, in a sense, one of the biggest scenes that each character had.
Quote examples
Ernest Hemingway
American Novelist
The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places.
Quote examples
Saint Francis de Sales
Swiss Clergyman
Friendships begun in this world will be taken up again, never to be broken off.
Quote examples
Michael McKean
American Actor
That's a job that it makes a few friendships, but it probably breaks more.
Quote examples
Megyn Kelly
American Journalist
In TV, a woman helping another woman break in? Not that common.
Quote examples
Amanda McBroom
American Musician
It's the heart afraid of breaking that never learns to dance.
Quote examples
Mark Spitz
American Athlete
Life is true to form; records are meant to be broken.
Quote examples
Peggy Whitson
American Astronaut
I learned to not be afraid to fix things that break.
Quote examples
Julian Casablancas
American Musician
A band is a good way to break up a friendship.
Quote examples
Tionne Watkins
American Musician
TLC never broke up. We are sisters for life.
Example 1 of 10
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