breakaway

[ breyk-uh-wey ]

/ ˈbreɪk əˌweɪ /

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See synonyms for breakaway on Thesaurus.com

noun

an act or instance of breaking away; secession; separation: the breakaway of two provinces from a state.

a departure or break from routine or tradition: a three-day breakaway in the Bahamas.

a person or thing that breaks away.

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

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.

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

Basketball. fast break.

Australian.

a stampede.
an animal that breaks away from the herd or flock.

adjective

of, relating to, or being that which separates or secedes: the breakaway faction of the Socialist party.

departing from routine or tradition.

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.

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

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of breakaway

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

Words nearby breakaway

break, breakable, breakage, break a leg, break and entry, breakaway, breakbeat, breakbone fever, break bread, break bulk, break camp

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use breakaway in a sentence

His platform argued for the cultivation of a stronger relationship between the democratic self-ruled island and Mainland China, which views Taiwan as a breakaway province that must be brought back under its control—by force if necessary.
Will Foxconn Billionaire Terry Gou’s COVID-19 Vaccine Deal Bring Taiwan Closer to China?|Natalie Tso/Taipei|July 26, 2021|Time
In a stage with an early breakaway, maybe no one really needed to max out their five-second power.
The New Science of “Fatigue Resistance”|Alex Hutchinson|April 23, 2021|Outside Online
He made 15 saves in the first period, including on a breakaway chance and subsequent rebound attempt from Mathew Barzal in the final two minutes.
Capitals open critical series against the Islanders with a shootout victory|Samantha Pell|April 23, 2021|Washington Post
Ryan, Grace, Tony, you’re the only ones I want to form a breakaway league with.
The Super League Was The Wrong Solution To A Real Problem|Tony Chow (tony.chow@fivethirtyeight.com)|April 21, 2021|FiveThirtyEight

Sky Sports commentator Gary Neville, who had a lengthy playing career for breakaway team Manchester United, was among the most prominent voices of dissent early on.
The brief life and spectacular fall of the Super League|Matt Bonesteel|April 21, 2021|Washington Post
Is it too much to say that this al Qaeda breakaway widely known as ISIS or ISIL is really just a collection of serial killers?
Inside the Mind of an ISIS Jihadi|Jamie Dettmer|September 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They are a breakaway faction from Fatah, the dominant party in the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).
A Who’s Who of Iran’s Favorite Palestinian Terrorists|IranWire|August 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
My coaches at Breakaway Performance Labs found that I needed to maintain a heart rate of 168-178 beats/min.
How to Use Your Lunch Hour for Better Productivity, Without Ever Taking a Bite|Gregory Ferenstein|April 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Meanwhile, tensions are rising in Moldova's breakaway region of Transnistria, where 2,500 Russian troops are based.
Corker: Obama Repeating Syria Mistakes in Ukraine|Josh Rogin|April 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
These people, like those in the breakaway regions of Georgia, wanted independence and autonomy, not Russian rule.
Why America Must Stop Comparing Ukraine To World War II|Will Cathcart|March 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
His eyes searched for the exit, and found it—a red-painted breakaway panel, standard for a hot lab.
The Syndic|C.M. Kornbluth
No striking in the clinches, but either party is free to hit his opponent in the breakaway.
The Battleship Boys at Sea|Frank Gee Patchin
I have an old uncle out at Breakaway, and he will tell you about the fortune with his own lips—I shall make him do so.
Dorothy Dale's Camping Days|Margaret Penrose
Every instant of it was intense watchfulness, while the breakaway was still more dangerous.
The Game|Jack London
The only disturbance comes when Selma butts in pushin' the tea cart, and, just from force of habit, I makes a panicky breakaway.
Torchy, Private Sec.|Sewell Ford

British Dictionary definitions for breakaway

breakaway

/ (ˈbreɪkəˌweɪ) /

noun

loss or withdrawal of a group of members from an association, club, etc
(as modifier)a breakaway faction

sport

a sudden attack, esp from a defensive position, in football, hockey, etc
an attempt to get away from the rest of the field in a race

Australian a stampede of cattle, esp at the smell of water

verb break away (intr, adverb)

(often foll by from) to leave hastily or escape

to withdraw or secede

sport to make a breakaway

horse racing to start prematurely

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

Other Idioms and Phrases with breakaway

break away

Leave hurriedly, escape, get loose. For example, The boy tried to break away, but his mother held onto his coat, or On the last lap the horse broke away from the pack. [First half of 1500s]

Sever connections with a group. For example, It was hard for me to break away from that organization, but I knew it was necessary.

Stop doing something, as in She broke away from work long enough to go out for lunch.

breakaway

Origin of breakaway

Words nearby breakaway

Words related to breakaway

How to use breakaway in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for breakaway

Other Idioms and Phrases with breakaway