breakup

American  

[breyk-uhp] / ˈbreɪkˌʌp /

noun

1. disintegration; disruption; dispersal.

2. the ending of a personal, especially a romantic, relationship.

3. (in Alaska and Canada)

   1. the melting and loosening of ice in rivers and harbors during the early spring.

   2. the first day on which such ice is soft or dispersed enough to permit ships to use the waterways.

4. Informal. an act or instance of being convulsed with laughter.

5. temporary distortion in a televised picture.

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Etymology

Origin of breakup

First recorded in 1785–95; noun use of verb phrase break up

Example Sentences

I didn’t realize until this moment how badly I wanted him to say the breakup was all him.

From Literature

The later breakup of Earth's landmasses explains how the animals became scattered across the globe rather than migrating across oceans.

From Science Daily

Navigating a separation is hard no matter how amicable the breakup is.

From MarketWatch

Soon after, Docter canceled the project, which was based on its director’s adolescent experience with a platonic breakup.

From The Wall Street Journal

After all, the trajectory of most rock bands follows a similar script—the hungry rise, the overwhelming success, the perils of stardom—followed by breakups, feuds, recoveries and reunions.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• breakdown
• disintegration
• dissolution
• divorce
• separation
• split
• termination