break - English dictionary definition

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1. Break  To strain apart; to sever by fracture; to divide with violence; as, to break a rope or chain; to break a seal; to break an axle; to break rocks or coal; to break a lock.
2. Break  To lay open as by breaking; to divide; as, to break a package of goods.
3. Break  To lay open, as a purpose; to disclose, divulge, or communicate.
4. Break  To infringe or violate, as an obligation, law, or promise.
5. Break  To interrupt; to destroy the continuity of; to dissolve or terminate; as, to break silence; to break one's sleep; to break one's journey.
6. Break  To destroy the completeness of; to remove a part from; as, to break a set.
7. Break  To destroy the arrangement of; to throw into disorder; to pierce; as, the cavalry were not able to break the British squares.
8. Break  To shatter to pieces; to reduce to fragments.
9. Break  To exchange for other money or currency of smaller denomination; as, to break a five dollar bill.
10. Break  To destroy the strength, firmness, or consistency of; as, to break flax.