breakoff
Americannoun
-
a discontinuation, especially abrupt, as of relations.
-
the action of breaking off.
Etymology
Origin of breakoff
First recorded in 1860–65; noun use of verb break off (in the sense “to stop sudddenly”)
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
No further negotiating sessions were scheduled, and both sides blame the other for the breakoff of talks last Wednesday.
From Reuters • Jul. 5, 2023
“There aren’t many breakoff groups, because there don’t need to be,” Ms. Weiser said.
From New York Times • Nov. 22, 2017
Through Secretary Herter, Ike offered President-elect Kennedy an opportunity to associate his new Administration with the breakoff decision.
From Time Magazine Archive
The breakoff is so silent that neither passengers nor flight crew notice it, and because it does not lead to fires or loss of power, it usually goes undiscovered until ground technicians check the plane.
From Time Magazine Archive
Chou, raging, had blamed the U.S. alone for the impending breakoff.
From Time Magazine Archive
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
