/ breɪk; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
1.
a device for slowing or stopping a vehicle :
to put / slam on the brakes
the brake pedal
—picture at bicycle , car
—see also air brake , disc brake , footbrake , handbrake
2.
brake (on sth) a thing that stops sth or makes it difficult :
High interest rates are a brake on the economy.
•
IDIOMS
see jam verb
■ verb
to go slower or make a vehicle go slower using the brake :
[ v ]
The car braked and swerved.
The truck braked to a halt .
You don't need to brake at every bend.
She had to brake hard to avoid running into the car in front.
[ vn ]
He braked the car and pulled in to the side of the road.
••
WORD ORIGIN
late 18th cent.: of unknown origin.