break
verb (used with object)
to smash, split, or divide into parts violently; reduce to pieces or fragments.
have been breaking
-
present perfect progressiveof break.present perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that began in the past, has continued continuously, and is still in progress.
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.
Diesel prices have been breaking records since late last month.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 23, 2026
All over the country, college softball teams have been breaking attendance records.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 24, 2026
Arrivals have been breaking record after record with more than 40 million visitors in 2024, a performance that was likely surpassed in 2025.
From Barron's ● Feb. 12, 2026
The move comes after the campaign group said the UK's biggest supermarket could have been breaking the law over how it displayed Clubcard prices, making it tough for shoppers to compare deals.
From BBC ● Feb. 20, 2024
She was typing away, and her fingers must have been breaking land-speed records.
From "Liar, Liar" by Gary Paulsen
