breech
Breech (noun) means the back part of a gun barrel, where the ammunition is loaded, behind the firing chamber. Example: “The rifle is loaded from the breech rather than the muzzle.”
How to use breech
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishIn guns, the loading end; in childbirth, feet/bottom-first instead of head-first.
Don't confuse with "breach" (a gap, violation, or breaking through) — they sound identical but mean completely different things.
Word forms
breeched past tense, breeches plural, breeches singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The rifle is loaded from the _____ rather than the muzzle.
Etymology
From Old English brēċ, the plural of a word meaning leg-covering or trousers — the same root that gives us "breeches".
Synonyms
View more →Rhymes for breech
See all rhymes for 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.