noun
Very common
breaking
BRAY-kihng
Breaking (noun) means the act of something being broken. Example: “The breaking of the vase was purely an accident.”
noun
1
The act of something being broken.
"The breaking of the vase was purely an accident."
"The breaking of the window woke the whole street."
"Careful packing will prevent any breaking of the glasses during the move."
2
Breakdancing.
"Breaking became an official Olympic event in 2024."
"He practises breaking in the garage every evening after school."
"Our local youth club runs a breaking class on Saturday mornings."
adj
1
Describing news that is happening or being reported right now.
"We interrupt this program for breaking news."
"The radio carried breaking news that the bridge had reopened to traffic."
"I saw the breaking story on my phone while waiting for the bus."
How to use breaking
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe act of shattering something — or, informally, breakdancing — or an adjective for very recent news.
Common pairings
breaking news
breakdancing / breaking
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Word forms
- Plural
- breakings
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The _____ of the vase was purely an accident.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for breaking
See all rhymes for breaking →Frequently asked questions
What does “breaking” mean?
The word “breaking” means the act of something being broken. In plain terms, the act of shattering something — or, informally, breakdancing — or an adjective for very recent news.
How do you pronounce “breaking”?
“Breaking” is pronounced BRAY-kihng (/ˈbɹeɪkɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “breaking” in a sentence?
Here is “breaking” used in a sentence: “The breaking of the vase was purely an accident.”
What part of speech is “breaking”?
Depending on how it is used, “breaking” can be a noun and an adjective.
Is “breaking” a common word?
“Breaking” is a very common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “breaking” have?
“Breaking” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of something being broken.
What is the difference between 'breaking' and 'broken'?
Breaking is the noun for the act or process of something coming apart — the moment or event of it happening. Broken is the adjective describing the finished result, the state left behind once the breaking is over. In short, breaking is the action, while broken is the outcome of that action.
What is an example of breaking?
The breaking of a wave against the rocks, the breaking of a dish that slips from your hands, or the breaking of a rope under strain all describe the act itself. In each case, 'breaking' names the event of the object splitting, cracking, or coming apart, rather than its condition afterward.
Is 'breaking' always a physical action?
In this sense, yes — it refers to a physical object coming apart. But the same form appears in figurative uses, such as breaking a habit, breaking a record, or breaking the news. Those extend the core idea of interrupting or ending something intact, even when nothing physical actually shatters.
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