breakaway

[breyk-uh-wey]

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.

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

/ 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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of breakaway¹

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

Example Sentences

And Australian rugby league's NRL said any player who joined the breakaway league would be banned for 10 years.

Read more on Barron's

Data Golf, who crunch the numbers from all tours including the breakaway LIV League, seem closer to the mark.

Read more on BBC

Beijing sees Taiwan as a breakaway province that will, in time, be part of the country.

Read more on BBC

The sport remains fractured since the arrival of the breakaway LIV Golf league in 2022.

Read more on BBC

Democrats had refused to vote to fund the federal government unless the subsidies were extended, but late Sunday a breakaway group of Senate Democrats broke ranks to support ending the shutdown.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• breakup 
• separation