[ I/T ] past tense broke /broʊk/, past participle broken /ˈbroʊ·kən/to separate something suddenly or violently into two or more pieces, or to stop working by being damaged:

[ I/T ] past tense broke /broʊk/, past participle broken /ˈbroʊ·kən/If you break a part of your body, you damage a bone which cracks or separates into pieces:

[ I/T ] past tense broke /broʊk/, past participle broken /ˈbroʊ·kən/If you break a bill of a particular amount of money, you exchange it for smaller bills whose total equals the amount of your bill:

[ I/T ] past tense broke /broʊk/, past participle broken /ˈbroʊ·kən/to interrupt or to stop something for a brief period:

[ I/T ] past tense broke /broʊk/, past participle broken /ˈbroʊ·kən/to end or change something, or to stop:

[ I/T ] past tense broke /broʊk/, past participle broken /ˈbroʊ·kən/to escape or separate from something or someone suddenly:

[ T ] past tense broke /broʊk/, past participle broken /ˈbroʊ·kən/to fail to obey or follow a law, rule, or promise:

[ I/T ] past tense broke /broʊk/, past participle broken /ˈbroʊ·kən/to become known or cause something to be known, usually to the public:

[ I ] (of a wave moving toward land) to suddenly change from a rising curl of water, sometimes showing white, to a layer that spreads out on reaching land

[ C ] an opportunity for improving a situation, esp. one that happens unexpectedly:

[ C ] a place in the surface of something where it has cracked from damage:

[ C ] A break in a bone is a place where it has cracked or separated into pieces.

[ C ] an interruption, esp. in a regular activity, or a short period of rest when food or drink is sometimes eaten:

[ C ] A break is also a time away from work or school, or a vacation:

[ U ] a time early in the morning when the sun is rising:

to do something that is against a law, or not do something that you should do or have promised to do:

to bring something to an end, especially suddenly or forcefully:

to reach a higher level of performance than previously:

US informal to exchange a large bill (= piece of paper money) for bills or coins in smaller amounts:

WORKPLACE a short period of rest, when food or drink is sometimes taken:

a time away from work or from a regular activity:

a short period when a radio or television programme is interrupted by announcements or advertisements:

US a reduction in the amount that has to be paid for something:

an opportunity for improving a situation, especially one which happens unexpectedly: