Break - English meaning

verb

Change in character or composition, typically in a comparatively small but significant way.

Usage examples:

Eliot was persuaded to alter the passage

verb

To change a characteristic, often slightly, or to cause this to happen

Usage examples:

[ t ] the coat was too long, so i took it back to the store to have it altered., some things in lif…

verb

To change the appearance, character, or structure of something, or to be changed in this way

Usage examples:

Just last week, the company agreed to alter some of its business practices., if they want to contin…

noun

An act of breaking or failing to observe a law, agreement, or code of conduct.

Usage examples:

A breach of confidence

verb

Make a gap in and break through (a wall, barrier, or defence).

Usage examples:

The river breached its bank

noun

An act of breaking a law, promise, agreement, or relationship

Usage examples:

Breach of they felt that our discussions with other companies constituted a breach of our agreement…

phrasal verb

Begin suddenly and sometimes violently

phrasal verb

To escape from a place or a situation

Usage examples:

Two inmates broke out of prison and are still at large., detergents make my hands break out., i hat…

collocation

To start feeling extremely worried or frightened

Usage examples:

The memory of it still makes me break out in a cold sweat., he could not even hear her name mention…

noun

A person or animal that breathes in a particular way.

Usage examples:

A heavy breather

noun

A short rest

Usage examples:

He'd been working hard and felt he needed (to take) a breather.

verb

Break open or apart suddenly and violently, especially as a result of an impact or internal pressure.

Usage examples:

One of the balloons burst

noun

An instance of breaking or splitting as a result of internal pressure or puncturing; an explosion.

Usage examples:

The mortar bursts were further away than before

verb

To break open or apart suddenly, or to make something do this

Usage examples:

Burst open suddenly the door burst open (= opened suddenly and forcefully) and police officers rush…

noun

A woman's chest as measured around her breasts.

Usage examples:

A 36-inch bust

verb

Break, split, or burst.

Usage examples:

They bust the tunnel wide open

adjective

Damaged or broken.

Usage examples:

The vacuum cleaner's bust

noun

(in greek and latin verse) a break between words within a metrical foot.

Usage examples:

The greek caesura was always much more flexible than horace’s, and english tends to treat it as ent…

noun

A pause in a line of poetry, especially near the middle of a line

noun

The fact or process of ending or being brought to an end.

Usage examples:

The cessation of hostilities

noun

The ending of a condition or the stopping of an activity

Usage examples:

[ c usually sing ] a cessation of violence

noun

The fact of something ending or stopping

Usage examples:

The company has now stopped trading and has announced the cessation of its business.

noun

A possibility of something happening.

Usage examples:

There is a chance of winning the raffle

adjective

Fortuitous; accidental.

Usage examples:

A chance meeting

verb

Do something by accident or without intending to.

Usage examples:

He was very effusive if they chanced to meet

verb

Make (someone or something) different; alter or modify.

Usage examples:

Both parties voted against proposals to change the law

noun

An act or process through which something becomes different.

Usage examples:

The change from a nomadic to an agricultural society

verb

To exchange one thing for another thing, especially of a similar type

Usage examples:

Change jobs she's just changed jobs., change the subject let's change the subject (= talk about som…

noun

A deep fissure in the earth's surface.

Usage examples:

A chasm a mile long

noun

A deep opening in earth or rock

Usage examples:

The little bridge over that deep chasm looked very unsafe.

noun

A very deep, narrow opening in rock, ice, or the ground

Usage examples:

They leaned over the rails and peered down into the dizzying chasm below.

noun

A narrow opening, typically one that admits light.

Usage examples:

A chink in the curtains

verb

Make or cause to make a light, high-pitched ringing sound, as of glasses or coins striking together.

Usage examples:

The chain joining the handcuffs chinked

noun

A high-pitched ringing sound.

Usage examples:

The chink of glasses

adjective

Past and past participle of cleave1.

noun

A fissure or split, especially in rock or the ground.

Usage examples:

The third peak is divided from the eastern one by a deep cleft

verb

Split or sever (something), especially along a natural line or grain.

Usage examples:

The large axe his father used to cleave wood for the fire

verb

Offend against the prohibition or order of (a law, treaty, or code of conduct).

Usage examples:

He contravened the official secrets act

verb

To not obey a rule or law, or to not do what you promised

Usage examples:

The toy manufacturer contravened safety codes by using toxic paints on its dolls.

verb

To do something that a law or rule does not allow, or to break a law or rule

Usage examples:

The company knew its actions contravened international law.

noun

A line on the surface of something along which it has split without breaking apart.

Usage examples:

A hairline crack down the middle of the glass

verb

Break or cause to break without a complete separation of the parts.

Usage examples:

The ice all over the bog had cracked

adjective

Very good or skilful.

Usage examples:

He is a crack shot

phrasal verb

Remove by or as if by cutting

noun

A fixed point or limit at which something is stopped

Usage examples:

The cutoff for blood donations is usually age 65., we took the cutoff and saved 20 minutes on the t…

noun

A fixed point or level at which something stops

Usage examples:

An age/income cutoff there is an income cutoff for eligibility., keep/put/set a cutoff at sth the r…

verb

Openly resist or refuse to obey.

Usage examples:

A woman who defies convention

verb

To refuse to obey a person, decision, law, situation, etc.

Usage examples:

It is rare to see children openly defying their teachers., a few workers have defied the majority d…

verb

To be extreme or very strange and therefore impossible to believe, describe, or explain

Usage examples:

The chaos at the airport defies description.

noun

→  discontinuation

noun

The action of ceasing to do or provide something, especially something that has been provided on a regular basis.

Usage examples:

The discontinuation of the product was a surprise to many

noun

The act of stopping doing or providing something

Usage examples:

He favoured the discontinuation of laboratory studies of dolphins., with success in eradicating sma…

noun

The state of having intervals or gaps; lack of continuity.

Usage examples:

There is no significant discontinuity between modern and primitive societies

noun

The fact that something changes or stops rather than continuing in the same way; a change or stop that means something does not continue in the same way

Usage examples:

We were rotating journalists in and out of the area, which creates discontinuity in reporting., sub…

verb

Break up into small parts as the result of impact or decay.

Usage examples:

Our shoes had to last until they disintegrated on our feet

verb

To become weaker or be destroyed by breaking into small pieces

Usage examples:

The spacecraft disintegrated as it entered the earth’s atmosphere.

verb

To become much worse

Usage examples:

Disintegrate into the situation disintegrated into chaos.

verb

Fail to obey (rules, a command, or someone in authority).

Usage examples:

Around 1,000 soldiers had disobeyed orders and surrendered

verb

To intentionally fail to do what you are told or expected to do; not obey

Usage examples:

[ t ] half of the city’s drivers tend to disobey rules and behave poorly.

verb

To refuse to do something that you are told to do

Usage examples:

How dare you disobey me!, to disobey orders

verb

Pay no attention to; ignore.

Usage examples:

The body of evidence is too substantial to disregard

noun

The action or state of paying no attention to something.

Usage examples:

Blatant disregard for the law

noun

Lack of consideration or respect

Usage examples:

The writer has shown a reckless disregard for the truth., the jury was told to disregard the commen…

noun

Disturbance or problems which interrupt an event, activity, or process.

Usage examples:

The scheme was planned to minimize disruption

noun

An interruption in the usual way that a system, process, or event works

Usage examples:

It would cause a tremendous disruption to our work schedule to install a different computer system.…

noun

The action of preventing something, especially a system, process, or event, from continuing as usual or as expected

Usage examples:

Widespread disruption the accident brought widespread disruption on the roads., disruption to it wo…

verb

Interfere with the normal arrangement or functioning of.

Usage examples:

Take the rollers out carefully so as not to disturb the curls too much

verb

To cause someone to stop what the person is doing, or to interrupt an activity

Usage examples:

Please don’t disturb jimmy – he’s trying to do his homework., this year’s election campaign has dis…

verb

To interrupt what someone is doing

Usage examples:

Please don't disturb your sister - she's trying to do her homework., i'm sorry to disturb you so la…

verb

Separate or be separated into parts.

Usage examples:

Consumer magazines can be divided into a number of categories

noun

A difference or disagreement between two groups, typically producing tension.

Usage examples:

There was still a profound cultural divide between the parties

verb

To separate into parts or groups, or to cause something to separate in such a way

Usage examples:

[ t ] divide the cake into six equal parts., [ i ] the votes divided equally for and against the pr…

noun

Time during which a machine, especially a computer, is out of action or unavailable for use.

Usage examples:

This self-study course is ideal for any home computer user, students in grades 8 and up or any busi…

noun

The time during which a machine, esp. a computer, is not working or is not able to be used

Usage examples:

I have three kids, so downtime is scarce.

noun

The time during which a machine, especially a computer, is not working or is not able to be used

Usage examples:

Slow download times, inadequate security and website downtime can damage your business plan., for p…

verb

(of a volcano) become active and eject lava, ash, and gases.

Usage examples:

Mount pinatubo began erupting in june

verb

Start suddenly

verb

To burst out suddenly or explode

Usage examples:

The crowd erupted in cheers., the building erupted in flames when the plane struck it.

idiom

If someone falls or goes to pieces, that person becomes unable to think clearly and control their emotions because of something unpleasant or difficult that they have experienced

Usage examples:

She just went (all) to pieces during finals., the glass must have been cracked - it just fell to pi…

noun

A long, narrow opening or line of breakage made by cracking or splitting, especially in rock or earth.

Usage examples:

The bacteria survive around vents or fissures in the deep ocean floor

verb

Split or crack (something) to form a long, narrow opening.

Usage examples:

The dry years had cracked and fissured the cliffs

noun

A deep crack, esp. one in rock or ice or in the ground

verb

Openly disregard (a rule, law, or convention).

Usage examples:

The advertising code is being flouted

verb

Treat with contemptuous disregard

verb

To intentionally disobey a rule or law, or to intentionally avoid behavior that is usual or expected

Usage examples:

They think they can flout the law and get away with it., he conducted business in his pajamas to fl…

idiom

To completely oppose what seems sensible or normal

Usage examples:

This is an argument that seems to fly in the face of common sense.

idiom

To enter a business or organization at a low level, but with a chance of being more successful in the future

Usage examples:

Making contacts can help you get a foot in the door when it comes to getting a job.

noun

The cracking or breaking of a hard object or material.

Usage examples:

Ground movements could cause fracture of the pipe

verb

Break or cause to break.

Usage examples:

The stone has fractured

verb

To crack or break something, esp. a bone

Usage examples:

[ t ] she fractured her skull in the accident., [ i ] this mineral fractures along straight lines.,…

noun

A small part broken off or separated from something.

Usage examples:

Small fragments of pottery

verb

Break or cause to break into fragments.

Usage examples:

Lough erne fragmented into a series of lakes

noun

A small piece or part, esp. one that is broken off of something

Usage examples:

A bone fragment, a fragment of indian pottery, she read a fragment of the story.

noun

A break or hole in an object or between two objects.

Usage examples:

He peeped through the gap in the curtains

noun

An empty space or opening in the middle of something or between two things

Usage examples:

Picking up speed, she closed the gap between them., she has a gap between her front teeth., after a…

noun

A difference between two numbers, amounts, or levels

Usage examples:

Forecasters are predicting a budget gap of nearly $17 bn next year., there is a $40 million shortfa…

noun

A pause or break in continuity in a sequence or activity.

Usage examples:

There was a brief hiatus in the war with france

noun

A short pause in which nothing happens, or a space where something no longer is

Usage examples:

Peace talks resumed this week after a five-month hiatus.

noun

A short pause in which nothing happens or is said, or a space where something is missing

Usage examples:

The company expects to resume production of the vehicle again after a two-month hiatus.

noun

A hollow place in a solid body or surface.

Usage examples:

The dog had dug a hole in the ground

verb

Make a hole or holes in.

Usage examples:

A fuel tank was holed by the attack and a fire started

noun

An empty space in an object, usually with an opening to the object's surface, or an opening that goes completely through an object

Usage examples:

Dig a hole we dug a hole and planted the tree., hole in my jumper's got a hole in it., drill a hole…

verb

Refuse to take notice of or acknowledge; disregard intentionally.

Usage examples:

He ignored her outraged question

verb

Refuse to acknowledge

verb

To give no attention to something or someone

Usage examples:

They ignored our warnings., the mayor ignored the hecklers and went on with her speech.

verb

Actively break the terms of (a law, agreement, etc.).

Usage examples:

Making an unauthorized copy would infringe copyright

verb

To break a rule, law, etc.

Usage examples:

They infringed building regulations.

noun

An intervening period of time; an interval.

Usage examples:

Enjoying a lunchtime interlude

noun

A period or event that comes between two others and is different from them

Usage examples:

The ferry trip was a relaxing interlude during the drive.

noun

A short period when a situation or activity is different from what comes before and after it

Usage examples:

After a brief interlude working as an architect, he went travelling., the musical interludes don't …

noun

A pause or break.

Usage examples:

He was granted an intermission in his studies

noun

A brief period between the parts of a performance

noun

A short period between the parts of a play, film, concert, etc.

verb

Stop the continuous progress of (an activity or process).

Usage examples:

The buzzer interrupted his thoughts

verb

To stop someone from speaking by saying or doing something, or to cause an activity or event to stop briefly

Usage examples:

[ i ] please don’t interrupt until i’m finished., [ t ] the picnic was interrupted by a rain shower…

verb

To stop a person from speaking for a short period by something you say or do

Usage examples:

She tried to explain what had happened but he kept interrupting her., i wish you'd stop interrupting.

noun

The action of interrupting or being interrupted.

Usage examples:

A chance to study without interruption

noun

An occasion when someone or something stops something from happening for a short period

Usage examples:

Constant/frequent interruptions he found he worked better at home without the constant interruption…

noun

An intervening time.

Usage examples:

After his departure, there was an interval of many years without any meetings

noun

A period between two events or times, or the space between two points

Usage examples:

If there is a fire, the alarm will sound at 15-second intervals., we’ve positioned guards around th…

noun

A period between two events or times

Usage examples:

We see each other at regular intervals - usually about once a month.

noun

An unfilled space; a gap.

Usage examples:

The journal has filled a lacuna in middle eastern studies

noun

An absent part, especially in a book or other piece of writing

noun

A period of time that passes

Usage examples:

There was a considerable lapse of time between agreement being obtained and work actually going ahe…

verb

Calm or send to sleep, typically with soothing sounds or movements.

Usage examples:

The rhythm of the boat lulled her to sleep

noun

A temporary interval of quiet or lack of activity.

Usage examples:

For two days there had been a lull in the fighting

verb

To cause someone to feel calm, sleepy, or safe

Usage examples:

The music lulled the infant to sleep., we were all lulled into thinking they wouldn't do anything.,…

verb

(of an insect or amphibian) undergo metamorphosis, especially into the adult form.

Usage examples:

Feed the larvae to your fish before they metamorphose into adults

verb

To change into a completely different form or type

Usage examples:

The awkward boy i knew had metamorphosed into a tall, confident man.

noun

A space or gap that allows passage or access.

Usage examples:

An opening in the roof would get rid of the smoke

adjective

Coming at the beginning of something; initial.

Usage examples:

She stole the show with her opening remark

verb

Move (a door or window) so as to leave a space allowing access and vision.

Usage examples:

She opened the door and went in

noun

A time or set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something.

Usage examples:

Increased opportunities for export

noun

An occasion or situation which makes it possible to do something that you want to do or have to do, or the possibility of doing something

Usage examples:

[ c ] she was given the opportunity to manage a day-care center., [ c ] the university is not provi…

noun

An occasion or situation that makes it possible to do something that you want to do or have to do, or the possibility of doing something

Usage examples:

An opportunity to do sth there will be an opportunity to discuss the matter again next week., an op…

verb

Interrupt action or speech briefly.

Usage examples:

She paused, at a loss for words

noun

A temporary stop in action or speech.

Usage examples:

She dropped me outside during a brief pause in the rain

verb

Cease an action temporarily

noun

A small space created by building part of a wall further back from the rest.

Usage examples:

A table set into a recess

verb

Attach (a fitment) by setting it back into the wall or surface to which it is fixed.

Usage examples:

The lights are going to be recessed into the ceiling

noun

A period of time in which an organized activity such as study or work is temporarily stopped

Usage examples:

Congress returns from its august recess next week., after lunch, the kids have recess., he pointed …

verb

Tear (something) into pieces.

Usage examples:

Snapping teeth that would rend human flesh to shreds

verb

To break something violently; tear

verb

To tear or break something violently

Usage examples:

With one stroke of his sword, he rent his enemy's helmet in two., [ + adj ] firemen had to rend him…

noun

A tenant's regular payment to a landlord for the use of property or land.

Usage examples:

I cannot even afford to pay the rent on this flat

verb

Pay someone for the use of (something, typically property, land, or a car).

Usage examples:

They rented a house together in sussex

noun

A large tear in a piece of fabric.

Usage examples:

Eddie was dismayed by the rent in the roof of the tent

noun

A short period of rest or relief from something difficult or unpleasant.

Usage examples:

The refugee encampments will provide some respite from the suffering

verb

Postpone (a sentence, obligation, etc.).

Usage examples:

The execution was only respited a few months

noun

A pause or rest from something difficult or unpleasant

Usage examples:

[ c usually sing ] the center provides a respite for teens in trouble.

verb

Cease work or movement in order to relax, sleep, or recover strength.

Usage examples:

He needed to rest after the feverish activity

noun

An instance or period of resting.

Usage examples:

You look as though you need a rest

verb

Remain or be left in a specified condition.

Usage examples:

You can rest assured she will do everything she can

noun

A crack, split, or break in something.

Usage examples:

The wind had torn open a rift in the clouds

verb

Break apart or become separated through faulting caused by plate tectonics.

Usage examples:

The indian landmass rifted from madagascar about 90 million years ago

noun

Something that divides partners or friends

Usage examples:

The border dispute caused a rift between canada and the us.

verb

(especially of a pipe or container, or bodily part such as an organ or membrane) break or burst suddenly.

Usage examples:

If the main artery ruptures he could die

noun

An instance of breaking or bursting suddenly and completely.

Usage examples:

A small hairline crack could develop into a rupture

verb

To burst or break, or to cause something to burst or break

Usage examples:

[ i ] high winds caused the oil tank to rupture., there is a rupture in confidence in government.

adjective

Forming or viewed as a unit apart or by itself.

Usage examples:

This raises two separate issues

verb

Cause to move or be apart.

Usage examples:

Both owners were trying to separate the dogs

plural noun

Individual items of clothing, such as skirts, jackets, or trousers, suitable for wearing in different combinations.

Usage examples:

Day wear consists of angular shaped separates that include wide-neck jumpers and half-mast trousers.

verb

Divide by cutting or slicing, especially suddenly and forcibly.

Usage examples:

The head was severed from the body

verb

Set or keep apart

verb

Break or cause to break suddenly and violently into pieces.

Usage examples:

Bullets riddled the bar top, glasses shattered, bottles exploded

verb

Move or cause to move from one place to another, especially over a small distance.

Usage examples:

A team from the power company came to shift the cables away from the house

noun

A slight change in position, direction, or tendency.

Usage examples:

A shift in public opinion

verb

Move very slightly

verb

Shake slightly and uncontrollably as a result of being cold, frightened, or excited.

Usage examples:

They shivered in the damp foggy cold

noun

A momentary trembling movement.

Usage examples:

She gave a little shiver as the wind flicked at her bare arms

verb

Break into such splinters or fragments.

Usage examples:

The world seemed to shiver into a million splinters of prismatic colour

noun

A long, narrow cut or opening.

Usage examples:

Make a slit in the stem under a bud

verb

Make a long, narrow cut in.

Usage examples:

Give me the truth or i will slit your throat

verb

Violently break (something) into pieces.

Usage examples:

The thief smashed a window to get into the car

noun

An act or sound of something smashing.

Usage examples:

He heard the smash of glass

adverb

With a sudden, violent shattering.

Usage examples:

They were together for an instant, and then smash it was all gone

noun

A rest from work for a smoke; a tea break.

Usage examples:

It was supposed to be working, but the construction team was on a smoko and it was resting.

verb

Break suddenly and completely, typically with a sharp cracking sound.

Usage examples:

Guitar strings kept snapping

noun

A sudden, sharp cracking sound or movement.

Usage examples:

She closed her purse with a snap

adjective

Done or taken on the spur of the moment, unexpectedly, or without notice.

Usage examples:

A snap decision

noun

A continuous area or expanse which is free, available, or unoccupied.

Usage examples:

A table took up much of the space

verb

Position (two or more items) at a distance from one another.

Usage examples:

The poles are spaced 3m apart

noun

An empty place

Usage examples:

[ c ] a parking/storage space, [ u ] he was staring into space, seeing nothing., [ c ] out west the…

noun

A small, thin, sharp piece of wood, glass, or similar material broken off from a larger piece.

Usage examples:

A splinter of ice

verb

Break or cause to break into small sharp fragments.

Usage examples:

The soap box splintered

noun

A small, sharp, piece of wood, glass, or similar material that has broken off a larger piece

Usage examples:

She tried to ignore the splinter in her foot., the old tree cracked and splintered as it fell.

verb

Break or cause to break forcibly into parts, especially into halves or along the grain.

Usage examples:

The ice cracked and split

noun

A tear, crack, or fissure in something, especially down the middle or along the grain.

Usage examples:

Splits appeared in the decaying planks

proper noun

A seaport on the coast of southern croatia; population 177,500 (est. 2009). founded as a roman colony in 78 bc, it contains the ruins of the palace of the emperor diocletian, built in about ad 300.

verb

(of an event, action, or process) come to an end; cease to happen.

Usage examples:

His laughter stopped as quickly as it had begun

noun

A cessation of movement or operation.

Usage examples:

All business came to a stop

verb

Have an end, in a temporal, spatial, or quantitative sense

noun

An instance of movement, activity, or supply stopping or being stopped.

Usage examples:

A power stoppage

phrase

Something that happens or succeeds suddenly because of luck, intelligence, etc.

Usage examples:

By a stroke of luck, someone else was walking along the trail and heard my shouts for help., painti…

noun

Ending; cessation.

Usage examples:

He teased us without surcease

verb

Stop; cease.

Usage examples:

You can now toss the bottle of prozac over your shoulder and realize that depression has surceased.

noun

The action of suspending someone or something or the condition of being suspended.

Usage examples:

The suspension of military action

noun

The act of hanging something from above so it moves freely

verb

Pull (something) apart or to pieces with force.

Usage examples:

I tore up the letter

noun

A hole or split in something caused by it having been pulled apart forcefully.

Usage examples:

There was a tear in her dress

verb

(of the eye) produce tears.

Usage examples:

The freezing wind made her eyes tear

verb

Break or fail to comply with (a rule or formal agreement).

Usage examples:

They violated the terms of a ceasefire

verb

Fail to agree with; go against

verb

To break or act against something such as a law, agreement, or principle, or to not respect something that should be treated with respect

Usage examples:

The planes appear to have deliberately violated the cease-fire agreement., questions of this kind v…