n.
Function: noun
Date: 14th century
1 a : an act or action of breaking b : the opening shot in a game of pool or billiards
2 a : a condition produced by or as if by breaking : GAP <a break in the clouds> b : a gap in an otherwise continuous electric circuit
3 : the action or act of breaking in, out, or forth <at break of day> <a jail break >
4 : a place or situation at which a break occurs: as a : the place at which a word is divided especially at the end of a line of print or writing b : the point or location at which waves break for surfing
5 : an interruption in continuity <a break in the weather>: as a : a notable change of subject matter, attitude, or treatment b (1) : an abrupt, significant, or noteworthy change or interruption in a continuous process, trend, or surface (2) : a respite from work, school, or duty <coffee break > <spring break > (3) : relief from annoyance ― often used to express exasperation or irritation in phrases like give me a break (4) : a planned interruption in a radio or television program <a break for the commercial> c : deviation of a pitched baseball from a straight line d mining : FAULT , DISLOCATION e : failure of a horse to maintain the prescribed gait f : an abrupt change in musical or vocal pitch or quality g : the action or an instance of breaking service in tennis h : a usually solo instrumental passage in jazz, folk, or popular music
6 a : DASH , RUSH <a base runner making a break for home> b : FAST BREAK
7 : a sudden and abrupt decline of prices or values
8 a : the start of a race b : the act of separating after a clinch in boxing
9 a : a stroke of luck and especially of good luck <a bad break > <got the break s > b : a favorable or opportune situation : CHANCE <waiting for a big break in show business> c : favorable consideration or treatment <a tax break > <a break on the price>
10 a : a rupture in previously agreeable relations <a break between the two countries> b : an abrupt split or difference with something previously adhered to or followed <a sharp break with tradition>
11 : BREAKDOWN 1C <suffered a mental break >