breaker

1 of 2

noun (1)

break·​er ˈbrā-kər 

plural breakers

1

a

: someone or something that breaks something

a deal breaker

world record breakers

b

: a machine or plant for breaking rocks or coal

c

chiefly British : someone who breaks up ships or cars for salvage

d

: a device for opening a circuit

specifically : circuit breaker

2

: a wave breaking into foam (as against the shore)

Few things leave you feeling as connected to nature as surfing—whether you're floundering about in the breakers or riding the waves.

—Ellie Ross

3

: someone who breakdances : breakdancer

While the first generation of breakers who started in the early 1970s aged out within five years, newer generations in their early teens were coming up and seeking out others who kept the dance alive on their own blocks in New York City.

—Imani Kai Johnson

breaker

2 of 2

noun (2)

brea·​ker ˈbrā-kər 

: a small water cask

Examples of breaker in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Bell's move broke the points tie breaker with William Byron but his version of the Hail Melon was shut down by NASCAR 27-minutes after the white flag dropped. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024

Members of Greenpeace killed climate deniers, and police shot curfew breakers. —Charles Bethea, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024

The Broncos defense looks capable of gliding down the barrel of a big breaker for a while still. —Matt Schubert, The Denver Post, 13 Oct. 2024

In the first set, Alcaraz had three sets point in the tiebreak, only to sail a backhand long to lose the breaker. —Adam Zagoria, Forbes, 2 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

by folk etymology from Spanish barrica

First Known Use

Noun (1)

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

1833, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing breaker

• circuit breaker
• deal breaker

Kids Definition

breaker

noun

break·​er

ˈbrā-kər

1

: a person or thing that breaks something

2

: a wave breaking into foam against the shore