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definitions

breech

[noun breech; verb breech, brich]
See more synonyms for breech on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. the lower, rear part of the trunk of the body; buttocks.
  2. the hinder or lower part of anything.
  3. Ordnance. the rear part of the bore of a gun, especially the opening and associated mechanism that permits insertion of a projectile.
  4. Machinery. the end of a block or pulley farthest from the supporting hook or eye.
  5. Nautical. the outside angle of a knee in the frame of a ship.
verb (used with object)
  1. Ordnance. to fit or furnish (a gun) with a breech.
  2. 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. 2018

Related Words for breech

backside, tail, rear, seat, posterior, drape, swaddle, swathe, fit, cloak, disguise, attire, equip, dress, back, duff, buttocks, butt, behind, beam

Examples from the Web for breech

Contemporary Examples of breech

  • This is exactly the breech into which progressive women should step.

    The Daily Beast logo
    Dems Need a Bachmann!

    Gloria Feldt

    September 10, 2011

Historical Examples of breech

  • He laid his hand on the breech of the gun that bore Don Diego.

    Captain Blood

    Rafael Sabatini

  • The Padre nodded while he bent over the breech of his Winchester.

    The Golden Woman

    Ridgwell Cullum

  • He caught it and broke it at the breech, ejecting the two shells; one of them was empty.

    In a Little Town

    Rupert Hughes

  • He opened it at the breech, put something in, and snapped the breech-block.

  • They wore only leggings, shirts, breech clouts and a blanket.

British Dictionary definitions for breech

breech

noun (briːtʃ)
  1. the lower dorsal part of the human trunk; buttocks; rump
  2. the lower part or bottom of somethingthe breech of the bridge
  3. the lower portion of a pulley block, esp the part to which the rope or chain is secured
  4. the part of a firearm behind the barrel or bore
  5. obstetrics short for breech delivery
verb (briːtʃ, brɪtʃ) (tr)
  1. to fit (a gun) with a breech
  2. archaic to clothe in breeches or any other clothing
See also breeches

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
n.

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

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
breech in Medicine

breech

[brēch]
n.
  1. The lower rear portion of the human trunk; the buttocks.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.