noun
Uncommon
breakout
Breakout (noun) means an escape, especially from prison. Example: “Guards were alerted the moment the breakout was discovered.”
noun
1
An escape, especially from prison.
"Guards were alerted the moment the breakout was discovered."
2
A sudden outbreak, such as of a rash or disease.
"She had a breakout of hives after eating shellfish."
adj
1
Describing a sudden and unexpected rise to popularity or success.
"The film was her breakout role."
How to use breakout
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn escape, a sudden skin flare-up, or a surprise hit/success — context tells them apart.
Common pairings
prison breakout
breakout role
breakout star
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Word forms
- Plural
- breakouts
Fill the gap
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Guards were alerted the moment the _____ was discovered.
Etymology
From the phrasal verb break out; the video-game genre sense comes from the 1976 Atari game Breakout.
Class of 1976
breakout joined the language around 1976.
See the full Class of 1976 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for breakout
See all rhymes for breakout →Frequently asked questions
What does “breakout” mean?
The word “breakout” means an escape, especially from prison. In plain terms, an escape, a sudden skin flare-up, or a surprise hit/success — context tells them apart.
How do you use “breakout” in a sentence?
Here is “breakout” used in a sentence: “Guards were alerted the moment the breakout was discovered.”
What is another word for “breakout”?
Words with a similar meaning to “breakout” include jailbreak and prison break.
What part of speech is “breakout”?
Depending on how it is used, “breakout” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “breakout” come from?
The word “breakout” dates back to around 1976. From the phrasal verb break out; the video-game genre sense comes from the 1976 Atari game Breakout.
Is “breakout” a common word?
“Breakout” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “breakout” have?
“Breakout” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an escape, especially from prison.
