brake

[ breyk ]

/ breɪk /

Save This Word!

noun

a 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.

verb (used with object), braked, brak·ing.

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.

verb (used without object), braked, brak·ing.

to use or run a brake.

to stop or slow upon being braked.

to run a hoisting machine.

OTHER WORDS FOR brake

8 halt, arrest, stay, restrain; curb, bridle.

See synonyms for brake on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?

Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!

Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

who

whom

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of brake

First recorded in 1400–50; of uncertain origin; possibly a special use of obsolete brake “a bridle, curb,” from Middle Dutch braeke “(flax) brake” (a tool that separates flax fibers from their woody stems); akin to break

OTHER WORDS FROM brake

brakeless, adjective

Other definitions for brake (2 of 4)

brake²

[ breyk ]

/ breɪk /

noun

a place overgrown with bushes, brambles, or cane.

Origin of brake

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English fernebrake “fern thicket, fernbrake,” Old English (fearn)bracu “bed of fern, (fern)brake,” akin to Middle Low German brake “branch, twig, tree stump”

Other definitions for brake (3 of 4)

brake³

[ breyk ]

/ breɪk /

noun

any of several large or coarse ferns, especially the bracken, Pteridium aquilinum.

Origin of brake

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English brake, probably by back formation from braken “thicket of fern,” taken as plural; see bracken

Other definitions for brake (4 of 4)

brake⁴

[ breyk ]

/ breɪk /

verb Archaic.

simple past tense of break.

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-Science
The 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-Science
When 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 Post
In 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|Fortune

A 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.
Testing Automatic Link, the FitBit for Your Car|Jamie Todd Rubin|July 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
Anti-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|DAILY BEAST
The 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 Mawson
At 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 Campbell
They watched the green island appear and swell, then vanish behind the flames of the braking rockets.
Deathworld|Harry Harrison
I came down in Australia and the braking 'chute tore right out when I released it.
What Need of Man?|Harold Calin
A 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)

brake¹

/ (breɪk) /

noun

(often plural) a device for slowing or stopping a vehicle, wheel, shaft, etc, or for keeping it stationary, esp by means of frictionSee 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 carriageAlso spelt: break

an obsolete word for rack 1 (def. 4)

verb

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

Derived forms of brake

brakeless, adjective

Word Origin for brake

C18: from Middle Dutch braeke; related to breken to break

British Dictionary definitions for brake (2 of 4)

brake²

/ (breɪk) /

noun

an area of dense undergrowth, shrubs, brushwood, etc; thicket

Word Origin for brake

Old English bracu; related to Middle Low German brake, Old French bracon branch

British Dictionary definitions for brake (3 of 4)

brake³

/ (breɪk) /

noun

another name for bracken (def. 1) See also rock brake

British Dictionary definitions for brake (4 of 4)

brake⁴

/ (breɪk) /

verb

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

brake

OTHER WORDS FOR brake

Origin of brake

OTHER WORDS FROM brake

Other definitions for brake (2 of 4)

Origin of brake

Other definitions for brake (3 of 4)

Origin of brake

Other definitions for brake (4 of 4)

Words related to brake

How to use brake in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for brake (1 of 4)

Derived forms of brake

Word Origin for brake

British Dictionary definitions for brake (2 of 4)

Word Origin for brake

British Dictionary definitions for brake (3 of 4)

British Dictionary definitions for brake (4 of 4)