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

A former TV exec, Bevacqua acknowledged a Super League’s lucrative appeal—and Notre Dame would be a desirable addition—but argued a breakaway of the richest teams violated “the spirit of college football.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026

He was back in the heat of a 3-on-3 drill, flying down the ice on a breakaway, every bit the Hall of Fame player who survived 16 seasons in the league.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

Marner opened the scoring with a spectacular breakaway goal, skating on to William Karlssson’s two-line pass as he entered the offensive zone and beating LaCombe up the center of the ice to the crease.

From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2026

The breakaway tour is set to announce on Thursday a "new strategic plan" to find new financial investors.

From BBC • Apr. 30, 2026

If we didn’t have breakaway rims, the backboard would have shattered into a million pieces.

From "Boy21" by Matthew Quick

Related Words

• breakup
• separation