breech
Americannoun
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the lower, rear part of the trunk of the body; buttocks.
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the hinder or lower part of anything.
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Ordnance. the rear part of the bore of a gun, especially the opening and associated mechanism that permits insertion of a projectile.
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Machinery. the end of a block or pulley farthest from the supporting hook or eye.
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Nautical. the outside angle of a knee in the frame of a ship.
verb (used with object)
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Ordnance. to fit or furnish (a gun) with a breech.
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to clothe with breeches.
noun
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the lower dorsal part of the human trunk; buttocks; rump
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the lower part or bottom of something
the breech of the bridge
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the lower portion of a pulley block, esp the part to which the rope or chain is secured
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the part of a firearm behind the barrel or bore
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obstetrics short for breech delivery
verb
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to fit (a gun) with a breech
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archaic to clothe in breeches or any other clothing
Usage
Breech is sometimes wrongly used as a verb where breach is meant: the barrier/agreement was breached (not breeched )
Other Word Forms
- unbreeched adjective
Etymology
Origin of breech
First recorded before 1000; Middle English breeche, Old English brēc, plural of brōc; cognate with Old Norse brōk, Old High German bruoh
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
She said she was aware of another case where a private scan late in pregnancy did not record the baby was still breech or lying bottom first in the uterus.
From BBC • Nov. 2, 2025
Grant said one of the more challenging, if less bloody, scenes involved an effort to rotate a breech baby by applying manual pressure to a pregnant belly.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2023
A spokesperson for Secamb: "We offer our sincere condolences to Mr and Mrs Trott and we welcome any changes to national breech birth guidance aimed at improving maternity care."
From BBC • Mar. 14, 2023
In a quick response, the U.S. team member told the Ukrainian to remove the gun’s breech at the rear of the howitzer and manually prime the firing pin so the gun could fire.
From Washington Times • Jan. 28, 2023
“I see. Ball lodged in the breech, sir?” he asked.
From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
