break

verb
brāk

To separate into two or more pieces, to fracture or crack, by a process that cannot easily be reversed for reassembly.

Example

“If the vase falls to the floor, it might break.”

Other meanings

To crack or fracture (bone) under a physical strain.
To divide (something, often money) into smaller units.
“Can you break a hundred-dollar bill for me?”

Synonyms

wear
wear out
fall apart

Example sentences

“Break free from the chains that bind you!”
Tatoeba · hecko · CC0
“I can drive if you want a break.”
Tatoeba · shekitten · CC0
“Trust takes years to build, seconds to break.”
Tatoeba · Igider · CC0

Word history

From Old English "brecan" (to break).

Where this comes from

This definition is adapted from “break” on Wiktionary, by its contributors; example sentences are from Tatoeba, credited to their authors above; related-word lists use Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0, based on Princeton WordNet), published under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page is published under the same licence.