noun
breech
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.”
noun
1
The back part of a gun barrel, where the ammunition is loaded, behind the firing chamber.
"The rifle is loaded from the breech rather than the muzzle."
2
Used to describe a baby positioned to be born bottom- or feet-first instead of head-first.
"The scan showed the baby was breech at 34 weeks."
"Doctors discussed a caesarean because of the breech position."
How to use breech
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishIn guns, the loading end; in childbirth, feet/bottom-first instead of head-first.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "breach" (a gap, violation, or breaking through) — they sound identical but mean completely different things.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
breech birth
breech baby
breech-loading rifle
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Word forms
- Plural
- breeches
- Third person singular
- breeches
- Past tense
- breeched
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 →
rear of tube
rear of barrel
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.
