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Synonyms

coffee break

American  

noun

  • coffee breaks
    plural
  1. a break from work for coffee, a snack, etc.


Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

Etymology

Origin of coffee break

First recorded in 1940–45

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.

See Examples For:

Your Outlook or Slack status may switch to “away,” making you appear as inactive as if you were taking an extended coffee break.

From The Wall Street Journal Aug. 20, 2026

The retired California Highway Patrol officer said he and his partner were just coming off a coffee break in Paso Robles when they got the call.

From Los Angeles Times Sep. 30, 2025

During the coffee break, he joined a small group discussing Pes’s presentation.

From Science Magazine Nov. 20, 2024

The designer brand boasts a strawberry milk printed crossbody, a coffee break tote, a silk tomato ketchup bandana, a snack pendant and gold-toned ketchup packet, fries and hot dog drop earrings.

From Salon Jul. 20, 2024

I stood just inside the door, trying to will Lily to go on a coffee break or to get off early or something.

From "It All Comes Down to This" by Karen English

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