breaker

1 of 2

noun (1)

break·​er ˈbrā-kər How to pronounce breaker (audio)
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 How to pronounce breaker (audio)
: a small water cask

Examples of breaker in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
That’s not necessarily a deal breaker because there is one right next door. Roger Naylor, The Arizona Republic, 7 Mar. 2024 For people who like a particular brand or type of frame, this could be a deal breaker. Kelsey Kunik, Verywell Health, 6 Mar. 2024 The company expanded its line of products to include rigging equipment, stunt flying suits, pyrotechnic devices, glass breakers and devices for industrial use before merging with Roger George Special Effects at the start of this year. Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Feb. 2024 The offense hummed along thanks to professional tackle breaker Deebo Samuel, a black-eyed George Kittle (90 receiving yards) and the NFL-leading rusher, McCaffrey. Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2024 The film, directed by SJ Clarkson and starring Dakota Johnson as a clairvoyant paramedic in New York, has as much energy as an employee subjected to an ice breaker during a corporate retreat. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Feb. 2024 Tourists, families, nature lovers, sports fans, shoppers, spring breakers. Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024 He’s got a natural feel for the high-spin breaker as well. Journal Sentinel, 16 Jan. 2024 Also, the Nashville hot honey wasn’t nearly hair-curling hot enough to qualify for that description, but that was no deal breaker. Leslie Kelly, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'breaker.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of breaker was in the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near breaker

Cite this Entry

“Breaker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/breaker. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on breaker

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