broach

American  

[brohch] / broʊtʃ /

noun

• broaches
  plural

1. Machinery. an elongated, tapered, serrated cutting tool for shaping and enlarging holes.

2. a spit for roasting meat.

3. a gimlet for tapping casks.

4. (in a lock) a pin receiving the barrel of a key.

5. Architecture. Also broach spire an octagonal spire rising directly from a tower without any intervening feature.

6. Masonry. a pointed tool for the rough dressing of stone.

7. brooch.

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verb (used with object)

• broaches,
  present (3rd person singular)
• broached,
  past participle,  past
• broaching
  present participle

1. to enlarge and finish with a broach.

   Synonyms:

   advance, submit, propose, introduce

2. to mention or suggest for the first time.

   to broach a subject.

3. to draw (beer, liquor, etc.), as by tapping.

   to broach beer from a keg.

4. to tap or pierce.

5. Masonry. to shape or dress (a block of stone).

verb (used without object)

• broaches,
  present (3rd person singular)
• broached,
  past participle,  past
• broaching
  present participle

1. Nautical. (of a sailing vessel) to veer to windward.

2. to break the surface of water; rise from the sea, as a fish or a submarine.

broach ¹ British  

/ brəʊtʃ /

verb

1. (tr) to initiate (a topic) for discussion

   to broach a dangerous subject

2. (tr) to tap or pierce (a container) to draw off (a liquid)

   to broach a cask

   to broach wine

3. (tr) to open in order to begin to use

   to broach a shipment

4. (intr) to break the surface of the water

   the trout broached after being hooked

5. (tr) machinery to enlarge and finish (a hole) by reaming

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noun

1. a long tapered toothed cutting tool for enlarging holes

2. a spit for roasting meat, etc

3. a roof covering the corner triangle on the top of a square tower having an octagonal spire

4. a pin, forming part of some types of lock, that registers in the hollow bore of a key

5. a tool used for tapping casks

6. a less common spelling of brooch

broach ² British  

/ brəʊtʃ /

verb

1. nautical (usually foll by to) to cause (a sailing vessel) to swerve sharply and dangerously or (of a sailing vessel) to swerve sharply and dangerously in a following sea, so as to be broadside to the waves

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• broacher
  noun
• unbroached
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• broaches
  plural

Participles

• broaching
  present
• broached
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• broach
  simple
• broaches
  simple
• have broached
  perfect
• has broached
  perfect
• am broaching
  progressive
• are broaching
  progressive
• is broaching
  progressive
• have been broaching
  perfect progressive
• has been broaching
  perfect progressive

Past

• broached
  simple
• had broached
  perfect
• was broaching
  progressive
• were broaching
  progressive
• had been broaching
  perfect progressive

Future

• will broach
  simple
• will have broached
  perfect
• will be broaching
  progressive
• will have been broaching
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of broach

1175–1225; (noun) Middle English broche < Anglo-French, Old French < Vulgar Latin *brocca spike, horn, tap of a cask ( Medieval Latin broca ), noun use of feminine of Latin adj. brocc ( h ) us projecting (said of teeth); (v.) Middle English brochen < Old French broch ( i ) er, derivative of the noun

Explanation

Broach means to bring up or introduce a sensitive issue. If your best friend has severe phobia of spiders, you might want to delicately broach the topic of your new pet tarantula, Mr. Fuzzy. Let's say you want to go on vacation with a friend and you ask your dad because he is more likely to say yes. He will probably tell you that he will broach the subject with your mom and let you know. In a less common (and older) usage of broach, if you put a hole in something in order to get out what's inside you broach it. The piercing tool you use is also called a broach. Think of piercing someone with your idea the next time you broach a touchy issue.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

broach broaches broached broaching

But there are many areas where Beijing and Berlin disagree, from trade practices to human rights, and Reiche will likely broach some of these.

From Barron's ● May 27, 2026

Sending a letter or an email to your estranged child could be a good way to broach the subject of reconciliation, say some therapists.

From BBC ● Jan. 31, 2026

The populist leader has said he would broach the subject with U.S. officials in Davos, Switzerland, this week.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 22, 2026

Those who did broach the topic with the partners were more likely to plan for key risks and expenses in retirement such as healthcare, taxes, daily expenses and inflation.

From MarketWatch ● Dec. 9, 2025

But the broach that pinned Llewelyn’s cloak together was no ordinary thing.

From "The Way to Rio Luna" by Zoraida Cordova

Daryl rarely, if ever, talked with his own parents about race, but he broaches these topics with his own children today.

From Salon ● Aug. 18, 2025

Therefore, you’ll discover suits with appliqué dot patches and frayed edges as well as dog-tag necklaces and sophisticated wire broaches on mini Scottish kilt pins.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 1, 2024

I also wondered what he said when he wasn’t on camera, a question this movie never broaches.

From New York Times ● Mar. 7, 2024

With the focus on tailoring, accents were few: tassels on a scarf, gleaming floral broaches, spare use of lace and sequins.

From Seattle Times ● Jan. 13, 2024

The faster your lifeboat broaches to the waves, the better.

From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel

Nearly half-an-hour into our call with her, Scott-Wright broached the idea of placing our reporter's newborn to sleep on her front, describing it as "a game-changer".

From BBC ● May 5, 2026

On Wednesday, Powell broached the issue when dousing speculation about a leadership vacuum.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 19, 2026

Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara first broached the possibility of a market conduct investigation into State Farm’s claims practices in May during a 90-minute forum with wildfire victims.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 20, 2026

Property records show that Wyle also broached the idea of selling his longtime home in Santa Ynez, a sprawling 80-acre estate that he moved to as “ER” was coming to an end.

From MarketWatch ● Jan. 22, 2026

“We have little time for indecent suggestions,” replied Haldar to those who broached the subject of Bibi’s health.

From "Interpreter of Maladies" by Jhumpa Lahiri

But that didn’t stop Mr. Wyden from broaching the costly topic again in his white paper.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 11, 2026

The teacher said providing a creative outlet made it easier for some to begin broaching painful topics.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 19, 2025

A yellow warning of rain is also in place for mid and north Wales on Monday, with the Afon Glaslyn in Beddgelert, Gwynedd, nearly broaching the garden wall of a house nearby.

From BBC ● Dec. 1, 2025

When broaching this topic, don’t ask what seems fair, said Nashira Lynton, a financial therapist and founder of Renewed Wealth Therapy.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 19, 2025

Chacko said, finally broaching the real reason for his visit.

From "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy

Related Words

• bring up
• hint at
• moot
• touch on