breakout

American  

[breyk-out] / ˈbreɪkˌaʊt /

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.

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adjective

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

   The director has finally scored with a breakout movie.

Etymology

Origin of breakout

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

Example Sentences

The Golden Globes have not yet released a list of presenters, but per the Hollywood Reporter, “Heated Rivalry” breakouts Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams will take the stage Sunday in their awards show debut.

From Los Angeles Times

Nine months later, however, Chambliss isn’t just playing—he has become college football’s most shocking breakout, pushing Ole Miss to the doorstep of its first national championship in six decades.

From The Wall Street Journal

He had been handpicked for his breakout role on the final day of a nationwide audition - "I was literally the last person they saw," he recalled in a 2023 interview.

From BBC

In contrast, 28-year-old Tongue has been England's breakout star of the Ashes, claiming 12 wickets in his two Tests.

From BBC

Just a few seasons into his run on “Saturday Night Live,” Marcello Hernández landed on the sort of breakout character cast members spend years trying to craft.

From Salon