breakaway

[breyk-uh-wey]

SEE MORE 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.

Origin of breakaway

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for breakaway

breakup, separation, breakaway, division, defection, rift, disunion, schism, dissension, split, rupture, parting, exiting

Examples from the Web for breakaway

Contemporary Examples of breakaway

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
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
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
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
The breakaway referendum in Crimea is a mere week away and is a gun to all heads.
Cut the Baloney on Ukraine
Leslie H. Gelb
March 9, 2014

Historical Examples of breakaway

The breakaway of design occurs first of all at structural levels.
The Civilization of Illiteracy
Mihai Nadin
He noted the breakaway zone where the first stage and second stage were joined.
The Scarlet Lake Mystery
Harold Leland Goodwin
How did Mrs. Selim get out to Breakaway Inn, if she left her own car with the maid?
Murder at Bridge
Anne Austin
They will fight as long as one hand is free, and take care of themselves in the breakaway.
The Game
Jack London
Three days after my breakaway, I got on to a freight train and stole a ride as far as Sicamous.
The Spoilers of the Valley
Robert Watson

British Dictionary definitions for breakaway

breakaway

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

Word Origin and History for breakaway

1906 (n.), in reference to sports; 1930s (adj.) in reference to splinter groups; from break (v.) + away (adv.).