breaker

[ brey-ker ]

/ ˈbreɪ kər /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR breaker ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a person or thing that breaks.

a wave that breaks or dashes into foam.

Citizens Band Radio Slang. a person who indicates a wish to transmit a message, as by breaking in on a channel.

Also called breaker strip. Automotive. a strip of fabric under the tread of a pneumatic tire casing, designed to protect the carcass.

Textiles.

brake¹(def 5).
a machine that separates the fiber from foreign matter in preparation for the carding process.

Also called prairie breaker. a plow with a long, low moldboard for turning virgin land.

Electricity. circuit breaker.

Mining.

a building where coal delivered from a mine is broken up and sorted.
a machine that reduces large lumps of coal or ore to a size that can be accommodated by a conveyor belt.

a break dancer.

interjection

Citizens Band Radio Slang. (used to announce that a person is about to transmit a message or question on a channel, especially one already in use.)

Nearby words

breakbeat, breakbone fever, breakdown, breakdown van, breakdown voltage, breaker, breaker card, breaker strip, breaker zone, breakerless ignition, breakeven chart

Origin of breaker

Middle English word dating back to 1125–75; see origin at break, -er¹

SYNONYMS FOR breaker

2 See wave.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR breaker ON THESAURUS.COM

Definition for breaker (2 of 2)

breaker

[ brey-ker ]

/ ˈbreɪ kər /

noun Nautical.

a small water cask for use in a boat.

Origin of breaker

1825–35; said to be alteration of Spanish bareca, variant of barrica small keg

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

Examples from the Web for breaker

Ariana Grande, leader of men and breaker of chains, makes quick work of the sad cages and frees her friends.
Ariana Grande’s Gay-Friendly Intergalactic Dance Party|Amy Zimmerman|August 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“If you are breaker of taboos, then anti-Semitism is only another taboo, no different from any other,” she writes.
John Galliano, Fired by Dior, Checks Into Rehab|Isabel Wilkinson|March 2, 2011|DAILY BEAST
“Naming your kid Hunter or Breaker is like saying f--k you to the world that invented feminism,” said Richmond.
2010's Hot Boy Baby Name Trend|Pamela Redmond Satran/Nameberry|November 9, 2010|DAILY BEAST
After supper he went over to see Mr. Jones, in obedience to the instructions received from the breaker boss.
Derrick Sterling|Kirk Monroe

To correct this, the breaker applies certain well-known aids, which it is unnecessary here to repeat.
The Barb and the Bridle|Vielle Moustache
They threw themselves upon the beach and clung "tooth and toenail" when the breaker receded.
Navy Boys Behind the Big Guns|Halsey Davidson
We passed the sail into the boat, and lowered a bread-bag, a kid full of beef and pork, and a breaker of fresh water.
Miles Wallingford|James Fenimore Cooper
At last the mate gained his point, and the men each took a breaker, and went up to the cabin for the water.
The Little Savage|Captain Frederick Marryat

British Dictionary definitions for breaker (1 of 2)

breaker

/ (ˈbreɪkə) /

noun

a person or thing that breaks something, such as a person or firm that breaks up old cars, etc

a large wave with a white crest on the open sea or one that breaks into foam on the shore

electronics short for circuit breaker

a machine or plant for crushing rocks or coal

Also called: breaking plough a plough with a long shallow mouldboard for turning virgin land or sod land

textiles a machine for extracting fibre preparatory to carding

an operator on citizens' band radio

British Dictionary definitions for breaker (2 of 2)

breaker

/ (ˈbreɪkə) /

noun

a small water cask for use in a boat

Word Origin for breaker

C19: anglicized variant of Spanish barrica, from French (Gascon dialect) barrique

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

Science definitions for breaker

breaker

[ brā′kər ]

A wave that crests or breaks into foam, as against a shoreline.

A circuit breaker.