breakaway

American  

[breyk-uh-wey] / ˈbreɪk əˌweɪ /

noun

1. an act or instance of breaking away; secession; separation.

   the breakaway of two provinces from a state.

2. a departure or break from routine or tradition.

   a three-day breakaway in the Bahamas.

3. a person or thing that breaks away.

4. an object, as a theatrical prop, constructed so that it breaks or falls apart easily, especially upon impact.

5. Ice Hockey. a sudden rush down the ice by a player or players in an attempt to score a goal, after breaking clear of defending opponents.

6. Football. a run by an offensive player breaking through the defense for a long gain.

7. Basketball. fast break.

8. Australian.

   1. a stampede.

   2. an animal that breaks away from the herd or flock.

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or being that which separates or secedes.

   the breakaway faction of the Socialist party.

2. departing from routine or tradition.

3. constructed of such lightweight material or in such a way as to shatter or come apart easily.

   breakaway highway signposts; Build a breakaway set for the barroom brawl.

4. (of theatrical costumes) constructed so as to be quickly removable, as by a performer playing several roles.

breakaway British  

/ ˈbreɪkəˌweɪ /

noun

1. 1. loss or withdrawal of a group of members from an association, club, etc

   2. ( as modifier )

      a breakaway faction

2. sport

   1. a sudden attack, esp from a defensive position, in football, hockey, etc

   2. an attempt to get away from the rest of the field in a race

3. a stampede of cattle, esp at the smell of water

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verb

1. (often foll by from) to leave hastily or escape

2. to withdraw or secede

3. sport to make a breakaway

4. horse racing to start prematurely

Etymology

Origin of breakaway

First recorded in 1885–95; noun, adj. use of verb phrase break away

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

breakaway

Morris appeared to have scored earlier in the half, getting loose on a breakaway before chipping the ball over Galaxy keeper JT Marcinkowski.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 13, 2026

As the war spilled over into Bosnia, his force switched uniforms - pledging support for the breakaway Republika Srpska.

From BBC ● Aug. 27, 2026

The Rams selected Hunter in the fourth round of the 2025 draft, envisioning the former Auburn standout as a breakaway threat.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 21, 2026

As in the Makerfield by-election, the party seemingly suffered from the advance made by Rupert Lowe's breakaway from Reform, Restore Britain, who won nearly 9% of the Manchester vote, outpolling the Conservatives in the process.

From BBC ● Aug. 1, 2026

He didn’t mean to start a breakaway church, but within a few decades swathes of Europe had switched to one form of Protestantism or another.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall

Related Words

• breakup
• separation