Breaking Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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breaking

[หˆbreษชkษชล‹ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

news

The act of separating or damaging something, especially a bone

Synonyms

crack, fracture, split.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
breaking

Suitable for describing the act of something turning into two or more pieces with significant force or impact. Often implies complete separation.

  • The vase is breaking after it fell off the table.
  • He is breaking the chocolate bar into pieces.
fracture

Commonly used in medical contexts to describe breakage in bones. Can also be used for other materials, but with a focus on structural integrity.

  • He suffered a fracture in his arm.
  • The earthquake caused a fracture in the bridge.
crack

Used to describe a partial separation or small lines that appear on the surface of an object. Doesn't always mean complete breaking.

  • There is a crack in the wall.
  • She noticed a crack in the glass.
split

Refers to dividing or separating something into parts, often used for decisions, groups, or items that naturally divide along a line.

  • Let's split the bill between us.
  • The group is split on the decision.

Examples of usage

  • He suffered a bad break in his arm during the match
  • The x-ray confirmed a clean break in the bone
Context #2 | Noun

conversation

A pause or interruption in an activity

Synonyms

interval, pause, rest.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
breaking

Use in situations where something is being torn apart or destroyed. The term often has a negative connotation and implies a sudden disruption.

  • The breaking of the vase upset everyone
  • Breaking the contract can result in legal consequences
pause

Used to describe a temporary stop in an activity or process, usually to take a breath or refocus. It often implies intention and is less formal than 'interval'.

  • She paused to think before answering
  • They took a pause in the conversation
rest

Use when referring to a longer period of relaxation and recovery, often involving sleep. It generally has a positive connotation.

  • You need to rest after that long hike
  • Doctors recommend a good night's rest for better health
interval

Used in formal or technical discussions to refer to a specific period of time between events. Usually related to scheduled or repeating events.

  • The interval between classes is only ten minutes
  • He timed the intervals between his workout sets

Examples of usage

  • Let's take a coffee break
  • She needed a break from work
Context #3 | Noun

law

A violation of a law, rule, or agreement

Synonyms

breach, infraction, violation.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
breaking

Use this word when something is physically separating or coming apart.

  • He heard the sound of glass breaking
  • The storm caused the breaking of tree branches
violation

This word is used to indicate a serious breaking of laws, rules, or rights and often carries a negative connotation.

  • The company faced severe penalties for environmental violations
  • His actions were a blatant violation of community guidelines
infraction

This term is often used in legal contexts to refer to minor violations of laws, rules, or agreements.

  • He was fined for a minor traffic infraction
  • The team was penalized for a rules infraction
breach

This word is used when referring to a break in a barrier, a gap in security, or a failure to follow a rule or agreement.

  • There was a breach in the wall of the fortress
  • The company faced a data breach last month

Examples of usage

  • He was arrested for a break-in at the store
  • The company was fined for a tax break violation
Context #4 | Verb

news

To separate or cause to separate into pieces as a result of a blow, shock, or strain

Synonyms

crack, shatter, smash.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
breaking

General term for separating into pieces or stopping the function of something.

  • The breaking of the vase caused a mess on the floor.
  • He was breaking the rules and got punished.
shatter

Describes the action of breaking something into multiple small pieces, often violently.

  • The glass shatter when it hit the ground.
  • Her confidence was shatter by the harsh criticism.
smash

Implies breaking something completely, often accompanied by a loud noise or force.

  • The kids love to smash the piรฑata at birthday parties.
  • He accidentally smash his phone against the wall.
crack

Refers to making a narrow gap or causing something to partially split.

  • John managed to crack the code.
  • The earthquake caused the walls to crack.

Examples of usage

  • The glass broke when it fell on the floor
  • The storm broke the tree branches

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • In psychological terms, 'breaking' can refer to the moment of realization or an emotional breakdown, often leading to breakthroughs in therapy.
  • The 'breaking point' is a concept used to describe the moment when a person can no longer cope with stress, leading to significant emotional changes.
  • People often refer to 'breaking habits' when trying to change negative behaviors, indicating a shift in mindset and lifestyle.

Modern Culture

  • 'Breaking news' has become a significant phrase in journalism, conveying urgent and important updates to the public.
  • In the movie industry, 'breaking' can refer to plot twists where a characterโ€™s true nature is revealed, shocking the audience.
  • Video games often use 'breaking' to describe glitches or unintended behavior, creating a new layer of interaction for players.

Science

  • In physics, 'breaking' can refer to the failure of materials under stress, leading to studies on material strength and design.
  • The concept of breaking bonds is crucial in chemistry, as it explains reactions and interactions between different molecules.
  • Breakthroughs in scientific research often occur when previous limitations are 'broken', paving the way for new discoveries.

Literature

  • Many poets use the theme of 'breaking' to symbolize emotional struggles and the fragility of human connections.
  • In storytelling, a 'breaking moment' can create suspense or climax, where a character faces a turning point.
  • Novels often explore the idea of breaking free from societal norms, reflecting personal growth and rebellion themes.

Origin of 'breaking'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Old English 'brฤ“can', meaning to 'shatter' or 'fracture'.
  • Related words in other languages include the German 'brechen' and the Dutch 'breken', both meaning the same.
  • In various contexts, 'break' has evolved to mean more than just physical destruction, incorporating emotional and metaphorical meanings.

The word 'breaking' originated from the Old English word 'brecan', meaning 'to separate into pieces'. Over time, it evolved to encompass various meanings related to separation, interruption, and violation. The term has been widely used in different contexts, from physical actions like bone breaks to legal breaches and pauses in activities.


See also: break, breakable, breakaway, breakdown, breakdowns, breaker, breakthrough, breakthroughs, breakup, outbreak, unbreakable, unbroken.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,071, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.