brake
1a device for slowing or stopping a vehicle or other moving mechanism by the absorption or transfer of the energy of momentum, usually by means of friction.
brakes, the drums, shoes, tubes, levers, etc., making up such a device on a vehicle.
anything that has a slowing or stopping effect.
Also called brakeman. a member of a bobsled team who operates the brake.
Also called breaker. Textiles. a tool or machine for breaking up flax or hemp, to separate the fiber.
Also called press brake . a machine for bending sheet metal to a desired shape.
Obsolete. an old instrument of torture.
to slow or stop by means of or as if by means of a brake.
to furnish with brakes.
to process (flax or hemp) by crushing it in a brake.
to use or run a brake.
to stop or slow upon being braked.
to run a hoisting machine.
Origin of brake
1Other words for brake
Other words from brake
- brakeless, adjective
Other definitions for brake (2 of 4)
a place overgrown with bushes, brambles, or cane.
Origin of brake
2Other definitions for brake (3 of 4)
any of several large or coarse ferns, especially the bracken, Pteridium aquilinum.
Origin of brake
3Other definitions for brake (4 of 4)
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use brake in a sentence
However, we found that while towing the trailer, the 10-speed is great in its role using engine braking to reign in vehicle speed on downhills.
Backing up a trailer is really hard, but this $100,000 SUV offers a new solution | Dan Carney | November 19, 2020 | Popular-ScienceThe Navigator includes other towing-assistance technologies, such as an integrated trailer brake controller.
Backing up a trailer is really hard, but this $100,000 SUV offers a new solution | Dan Carney | November 19, 2020 | Popular-ScienceWhen Archie chases the ball along the ground, he overshoots it and has to hit the brakes.
More dog tales: We’re learning the quirks of Archie the rescue | John Kelly | November 8, 2020 | Washington PostIn Zandi’s view, lawmakers would “likely agree to a deficit-financed support package next February, with Senate Republicans being the brake on a larger deal.”
Stimulus update: How the election will shape the next aid package | Lance Lambert | November 3, 2020 | FortuneA pair of disc brakes handle stopping duties, which is fairly common on e-bikes at this point.
Harley’s first electric bicycle stands out with its retro style | Stan Horaczek | November 2, 2020 | Popular-Science
The three most fuel-costly activities are rough braking, rapid acceleration, and speeding above 70 mph.
That braking time is why we need to get started sooner rather than later.
Megan McArdle on Why We Need to Jump Off the Fiscal Cliff | Megan McArdle | November 30, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTAnti-lock braking, which can be less effective on motorcycles than cars, is an option.
Ducati’s Panigale and History’s Most Innovative Motorcycles | Chris Hunter | November 13, 2011 | THE DAILY BEASTThe sail was up and, while braking the load upwind, I slipped and fell, allowing the sledge to collide with a large sastruga.
The Home of the Blizzard | Douglas MawsonAt this distance, it will be about six gravities, and we can add to that a molecular drive braking of four gravities.
Islands of Space | John W CampbellThey watched the green island appear and swell, then vanish behind the flames of the braking rockets.
Deathworld | Harry HarrisonI came down in Australia and the braking 'chute tore right out when I released it.
What Need of Man? | Harold CalinA hand-operated drum controller, directly controlling the driving and electric braking of the motors, is used.
The New Gresham Encyclopedia | Various
British Dictionary definitions for brake (1 of 4)
/ (breɪk) /
(often plural) a device for slowing or stopping a vehicle, wheel, shaft, etc, or for keeping it stationary, esp by means of friction: See also drum brake, disc brake, hydraulic brake, air brake, handbrake
(as modifier): the brake pedal
a machine or tool for crushing or breaking flax or hemp to separate the fibres
Also called: brake harrow a heavy harrow for breaking up clods
short for brake van
short for shooting brake
an open four-wheeled horse-drawn carriage: Also spelt: break
an obsolete word for rack 1 (def. 4)
to slow down or cause to slow down, by or as if by using a brake
(tr) to crush or break up using a brake
Origin of brake
1Derived forms of brake
- brakeless, adjective
British Dictionary definitions for brake (2 of 4)
/ (breɪk) /
an area of dense undergrowth, shrubs, brushwood, etc; thicket
Origin of brake
2British Dictionary definitions for brake (3 of 4)
/ (breɪk) /
another name for bracken (def. 1) See also rock brake
British Dictionary definitions for brake (4 of 4)
/ (breɪk) /
archaic, mainly biblical a past tense of break
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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