breast
brehst
Breast (noun) means Either of the two organs on the front of a woman's chest that can produce milk. Example: “She was screened regularly for breast cancer.”
noun
1
Either of the two organs on the front of a woman's chest that can produce milk.
"She was screened regularly for breast cancer."
"The nurse explained how a mother's breast produces milk after a baby is born."
"Doctors encourage women to check their breasts regularly for any unusual changes."
2
The chest area of a person or animal.
"The bird has a bright orange breast and a small grey head."
"She felt her heart pounding against her breast as she waited for the results."
"He clutched a hand to his breast as he made the vow."
3
A cut of meat from the chest of poultry or other animals.
"She grilled two chicken breasts for dinner."
"Turkey breast is a lean choice for a quick sandwich at lunchtime."
"He sliced the roast duck breast thinly and served it with a sweet sauce."
How to use breast
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe chest area of the body — most specifically, the female mammary organs, but also used figuratively (one's breast = one's heart) and for cuts of poultry meat.
Common pairings
breast cancer
chicken breast
breastfeed
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Word forms
- Plural
- breasts
- Third person singular
- breasts
- Past tense
- breasted
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She was screened regularly for _____ cancer.
Etymology
From Old English brēost, from a prehistoric Germanic root related to swelling.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for breast
See all rhymes for breast →Frequently asked questions
What does “breast” mean?
The word “breast” means either of the two organs on the front of a woman's chest that can produce milk. In plain terms, the chest area of the body — most specifically, the female mammary organs, but also used figuratively (one's breast = one's heart) and for cuts of poultry meat.
How do you pronounce “breast”?
“Breast” is pronounced brehst (/bɹɛst/ in IPA).
How do you use “breast” in a sentence?
Here is “breast” used in a sentence: “She was screened regularly for breast cancer.”
What is the opposite of “breast”?
The opposite of “breast” — its antonyms — are thigh, wing and dark meat.
What part of speech is “breast”?
“Breast” is a noun.
Where does the word “breast” come from?
The word “breast” comes from Old English. From Old English brēost, from a prehistoric Germanic root related to swelling.
Is “breast” a common word?
“Breast” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “breast” have?
“Breast” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: either of the two organs on the front of a woman's chest that can produce milk.
What is the difference between breast and chest?
Chest refers to the whole front of the upper body between the neck and the abdomen. Breast can mean the same chest area, but it also specifically refers to the mammary organs on a woman's chest that can produce milk.
What is the difference between breast and bosom?
Both can refer to a person's chest, but bosom is a softer, more literary or old-fashioned word, often used figuratively as in 'the bosom of the family.' Breast is the more neutral, everyday and anatomical term.
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