break
verb / noun/breɪk/
🔊 listen
break is a multi-meaning English word — verb and noun. The core is “to break apart”, but it ranges from a rest to breaking news. Irregular: break → broke → broken.
📖 Meanings
1to break, smash
"I broke my phone." — (smash)
2a break, rest (noun)
"Let's take a break." — (rest)
3to stop working (device)
"The printer broke again." — (stop working)
4to break (rule/promise)
"Don't break the rules." — (violate)
5(news) to be announced first
"The news just broke." — (break out)
⚠️ Forms
| Present | Past | Past Participle |
|---|---|---|
| break | broke | broken |
🔄 Often confused
💬 Phrasal verbs
take a breakbreak upbreak down
❓ What does “Let's take a break” mean?