verb
intransitive verb
1. : to break and enter
thieves broke in and stole the money
2. : to interrupt in a conversation : say something abruptly and forcefully
impatient, he broke in with an oath
3. : to start in an activity or enterprise
he broke in with a minor-league team
breaking in with the company as an office boy
: gain entrée; also : to gain experience or skill in a new role or function
the new men are breaking in well
transitive verb
1.
a. : to accustom to a certain activity or occurrence
a skiing instructor breaking in novices
especially : to initiate (as into a job, office, or sport) by instruction, demonstration, and correction
b. : break , train
break in a green horse
c. : to overcome the stiffness of (a new article)
breaking in the shoes
: operate or use to overcome the uncertainties of the new and unfamiliar : operate sufficiently to test all parts thoroughly
breaking in a new car
2. : to break so as to cause to fall inward
the mob broke in the door
3. : to place (a pictorial illustration) in a space provided in the text