breech

[noun breech; verb breech, brich]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR breech ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the lower, rear part of the trunk of the body; buttocks.

the hinder or lower part of anything.

Ordnance. the rear part of the bore of a gun, especially the opening and associated mechanism that permits insertion of a projectile.

Machinery. the end of a block or pulley farthest from the supporting hook or eye.

Nautical. the outside angle of a knee in the frame of a ship.

verb (used with object)

Ordnance. to fit or furnish (a gun) with a breech.

to clothe with breeches.

Origin of breech

before 1000; Middle English breeche, Old English brēc, plural of brōc; cognate with Old Norse brōk, Old High German bruoh

Related formsun·breeched, adjective

Can be confusedbreach breech (see synonym study at breach)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for breech

This is exactly the breech into which progressive women should step.
Dems Need a Bachmann!|Gloria Feldt|September 10, 2011|DAILY BEAST
He didn't say anything, but he set his teeth, squinted along the sights of his gun, and touched a button in the breech.
The World Masters|George Griffith
Stands at the right and beside the breech; opens same after firing so shell can be taken out.
A Gunner Aboard the "Yankee"|Russell Doubleday
Once more he threw open the breech and loaded—and fired, though by this time the bok were seven or eight hundred yards away.
Off to the Wilds|George Manville Fenn

The gas-lever returning forces the cartridge home in the barrel and closes and locks the breech.
The Romance of Modern Invention|Archibald Williams
Five minutes later there was a loud report, and the breech had been blown to atoms and the rifling destroyed.
With Rifle and Bayonet|F.S. Brereton

British Dictionary definitions for breech

breech

noun (briːtʃ)

the lower dorsal part of the human trunk; buttocks; rump

the lower part or bottom of somethingthe breech of the bridge

the lower portion of a pulley block, esp the part to which the rope or chain is secured

the part of a firearm behind the barrel or bore

obstetrics short for breech delivery

verb (briːtʃ, brɪtʃ) (tr)

to fit (a gun) with a breech

archaic to clothe in breeches or any other clothing

Word Origin for breech

Old English brēc, plural of brōc leg covering; related to Old Norse brōk, Old High German bruoh

usage

Breech is sometimes wrongly used as a verb where breach is meant: the barrier/agreement was breached (not breeched)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for breech

"back part of a gun or firearm," 1570s, from singular of breeches (q.v.).

Medicine definitions for breech

breech

[brēch]

n.

The lower rear portion of the human trunk; the buttocks.

breech

noun

verb (used with object)

RELATED WORDS

Origin of breech

Examples from the Web for breech

breech

noun (briːtʃ)

verb (briːtʃ, brɪtʃ) (tr)

Word Origin for breech

usage

breech

n.