breech
2 synonyms for breech, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The back part of a gun barrel, where the ammunition is loaded, behind the firing chamber.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
rear of tube
rear of barrel
How to use breech
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
breech birth
breech baby
breech-loading rifle
Etymology
From Old English brēċ, the plural of a word meaning leg-covering or trousers — the same root that gives us "breeches".
Full origin of breech →Frequently asked questions
What does “breech” mean?
The word “breech” means the back part of a gun barrel, where the ammunition is loaded, behind the firing chamber. In plain terms, in guns, the loading end; in childbirth, feet/bottom-first instead of head-first.
How do you pronounce “breech”?
“Breech” is pronounced BREECH (/ˈbɹiːt͡ʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “breech” in a sentence?
Here is “breech” used in a sentence: “The rifle is loaded from the breech rather than the muzzle.”
What part of speech is “breech”?
“Breech” is a noun.
Where does the word “breech” come from?
The word “breech” comes from Old English. From Old English brēċ, the plural of a word meaning leg-covering or trousers — the same root that gives us "breeches".
How many meanings does “breech” have?
“Breech” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the back part of a gun barrel, where the ammunition is loaded, behind the firing chamber.
