broach

American  

[brohch] / broʊtʃ /

noun

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.

---

verb (used with object)

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)

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

---

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

---

Other Word Forms

• broacher
  noun
• unbroached
  adjective

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

There were no reports of injuries or deaths in Georgetown County, Broach said.

From Washington Times • Dec. 17, 2023

Broach the subject by sharing how much you enjoy your friendly rapport but also make clear that your faith is as important to you as hers is to her.

From New York Times • May 14, 2023

Jared Broach is the founder of the company Nightly Spirits, which offers tours of haunted areas in several cities nationwide.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 31, 2017

Asked if he believes in ghosts, Broach said “for sure” and then pointed to more prestigious authorities.

From Washington Post • Oct. 30, 2017

Thence, too, he despatched a force to secure Broach and Surat.

From Rulers of India: Akbar by Malleson, George Bruce

Related Words

• bring up
• hint at
• moot
• touch on