break1
  
  v.
 (past broke; past part. broken)
                - separate into pieces as a result of a blow, shock, or strain. ▸(of waves) curl over and dissolve into foam. ▸(of the amniotic fluid surrounding a fetus) be discharged when the sac is ruptured in the first stages of labour. 
- make or become inoperative.
- interrupt (a continuity, sequence, or journey). ▸stop so as to have a rest or holiday: ![]()  they broke for coffee. 
▸lessen the impact of (a fall). ▸disconnect or interrupt (an electric circuit). 
- fail to observe (a law, regulation, or agreement).
- crush the strength, spirit, or resistance of.
- surpass (a record).
- (of an attacking player or a military force) make a rush or dash:![]()  Mitchell broke quickly, allowing Hughes to score. 
- (of the weather) change suddenly, especially after a fine spell. ▸(of a storm) begin violently. ▸(of dawn or a day) begin as the sun rises. 
- (of a person's voice) falter and change tone. ▸(of a boy's voice) change in tone and register at puberty. 
- (of news) suddenly become public. ▸
(break something to)
 make bad news known to. 
- succeed in deciphering (a code).
- use (a banknote) to pay for something and receive change.
- (of two boxers or wrestlers) come out of a clinch.
- make the first stroke at the beginning of a game of billiards, pool, or snooker.
- unfurl (a flag or sail).
- Phonetics  (of a vowel) develop into a diphthong, under the influence of an adjacent sound.
n.
        - an interruption or pause:![]()  a break with the past. ▸Brit. an interval during the school day. ▸a short holiday. ▸a change of line, paragraph, or page: ![]()  a page break. 
- a rush or dash, especially by an attacking player or team.
- informal an opportunity or chance.
- a gap or opening:![]()  a break in the hedge. 
- an instance of breaking, or the point where something is broken.
- 
(also break of serve or service break)
 Tennis  the winning of a game against an opponent's serve.
- Snooker  & Billiards  a consecutive series of successful shots. ▸a player's turn to make the opening shot of a game. 
- a short solo or instrumental passage in jazz or popular music.
Phrase
  
    - break one's back 
(or neck)
 put great effort into achieving something.
- break the back of
 accomplish the main or hardest part of (a task).
- break even
 reach a point in a business when profits are equal to costs.
- breaking and entering
 (in North American, and formerly also British, law) the crime of entering a building by force to commit burglary.
- break a leg!
 theatrical slang good luck!
- break of day
 dawn.
- break someone's serve
 win a game in a tennis match against an opponent's service.
- break ship
 Nautical  fail to rejoin one's ship after absence on leave.
- break wind
 release gas from the anus.
- give someone a break
 informal stop putting pressure on someone.
- make a clean break
 remove oneself completely from a situation.
 
  Phrase verbal
  
    - break away
 escape from the control or influence of a person or practice.
- break down
 - cease to function or continue; fail.
- lose control of one's emotions when in distress.
 
- break in
 - force entry to a building.
- interject.
 
- break something in
 - accustom a horse to being ridden.
- wear shoes until they become supple and comfortable.
 
- break into
 - enter forcibly.
- suddenly burst into (laughter, song, or faster movement).
 
- break something off
 abruptly end or discontinue something.
- break out
 - (of something undesirable) start suddenly.
- escape.
 
- break out in
 be suddenly affected by an unpleasant sensation or condition.
- break something out
 informal open and start using something.
- break up
 - (of a gathering or relationship) end or part company. ▸chiefly Brit. end the school term. 
- (of a radio or telephone signal) be interrupted by interference.
- chiefly N. Amer. start laughing uncontrollably.
- chiefly N. Amer. become upset.
 
- break with
 - quarrel or cease relations with.
- act in a way that is not in accordance with (a custom or tradition).
 
 
  Derivative
  
    - breakable adj. & n.
- breakage n.
 
  Etymology
  OE brecan (v.), of Gmc origin.
 
  
    
break2
  
  n.
  - former term for breaking cart.
- historical another term for brake2.
Etymology
  C19: perh. from C16 brake ‘cage’, later ‘framework’.