break-in period

American  

[breyk-in] / ˈbreɪkˌɪn /

noun

1. a period during which certain restrictions or moderation in operating should be followed, as the avoidance of high speed, rapid acceleration, or severe braking for a new automobile.

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Example Sentences

They were 4-6 in Harden’s break-in period, but had won four of the last five games and were beginning to establish rotations and some semblance of rhythm and confidence.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 28, 2023

"But you want to get through the first few days, because there's always that break-in period."

From US News • Jul. 9, 2015

“This is the break-in period for the new law,” Mr. Borgsmiller said, adding that the exact application of the statute would depend on election board rulings on specific cases that could arise.

From New York Times • Mar. 13, 2011

I've been using them for a couple of months now and can hear more of a difference than I expected after the recommended break-in period.

From BusinessWeek • Sep. 17, 2010

E-TEC outboards do not require a break-in period, nor do they require regularly scheduled service for hundreds of hours of operation.

From Time Magazine Archive