breakout

[breyk-out]

noun

1. an escape, often with the use of force, as from a prison or mental institution.

2. an appearance or manifestation, as of a disease, that is sudden and often widespread; outbreak.

3. an itemization; breakdown.

   a hotel bill with a breakout of each service offered.

4. an instance of surpassing any previous achievement.

   a breakout in gold prices.

5. the act or process of removing and disassembling equipment that has been used in drilling a well.

adjective

1. of or constituting a sudden increase, advance, or unexpected success.

   The director has finally scored with a breakout movie.

Word History and Origins

Origin of breakout¹

First recorded in 1810–20; noun use of verb phrase break out

Example Sentences

A break above $50 in silver would be ‘one of the biggest technical breakouts in modern history because of the length of time it has taken.’

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She was thrilled to be in Rwanda after a breakout summer in Europe—to “bring the young blood,” as she put it to me later.

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Striding confidently into his first starring role, the L.A.-born breakout talent is a bright new discovery with shining eyes and brash exuberance.

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The “Good Luck, Babe!” singer’s return to L.A. will wrap up a brief North American tour where the venues finally felt appropriate to her stature as one of the breakout pop acts of the decade.

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Apple is up just 3% year to date but may be poised for a breakout.

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