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

Breakout hit “Nobody Wants This” also got some love, with Bell and her co-star Adam Brody nominated.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 20, 2025

When MLB recently announced rosters for its Spring Breakout exhibitions showcasing top minor league prospects, 9.5% of the players were Black — including 31 alums of MLB’s diversity programs.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 11, 2024

Big hedge funds including Marshall Wace and Odey Asset Management added to short positions against Europe's banks, regulatory filings seen by Reuters and data from Breakout Point showed.

From Reuters • Mar. 15, 2023

Breakout British producer Fred Again is already a must-see live act, whose electrifying set at London's Boiler Room went viral earlier this year.

From BBC • Dec. 4, 2022

The speaker said, "Breakout in five seconds ... four ... three ... two ... one ..."

From The Hate Disease by Leinster, Murray