brake
B1Neutral (Used across all registers from informal conversation to technical documentation)
Definition
Meaning
A device used to slow down or stop a moving vehicle, machine, or process by creating friction or resistance.
Any action or measure taken to slow down, control, or halt progress, speed, or activity. Can also refer to a mechanism for applying pressure, a type of heavy vehicle (US), or a type of fern.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a noun denoting a safety/control device. The verb is derived from the noun. Homophone with 'break', which creates a significant potential for confusion in writing.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor spelling differences (e.g., 'brake lining' vs 'brake lining'). The term 'brake' as a large open horse-drawn carriage/wagon is more strongly associated with American English (e.g., 'hay wagon' vs 'hay brake'). Vocabulary for specific parts can vary (e.g., 'handbrake' (UK) vs 'emergency brake/parking brake' (US)).
Connotations
Connotations are identical – safety, control, stopping. The term is equally technical and neutral in both varieties.
Frequency
Approximately equal frequency in both dialects, given its core technical function.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Noun] + VERB + the brakes (e.g., She applied the brakes.)VERB + [Noun] + on (e.g., He put the brakes on the project.)[Subject] + brake + [Adverb] (e.g., The car braked sharply.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “put the brakes on something”
- “slam on the brakes”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used metaphorically: 'The central bank applied the brakes to inflation.'
Academic
Used in physics/engineering contexts to discuss friction, kinetic energy dissipation, and safety systems.
Everyday
Primarily in the context of driving and bicycle maintenance: 'My bike needs new brakes.'
Technical
Refers to specific systems: disc brakes, drum brakes, regenerative braking, brake calipers, brake fluid.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He braked hard to avoid the cyclist.
- The lorry failed to brake in time.
American English
- She braked suddenly when she saw the deer.
- The truck didn't brake in time.
adverb
British English
- (Rarely used as a pure adverb. Typically part of a compound like 'brake-assisted' or 'brake-related'.)
American English
- (Rarely used as a pure adverb. Typically part of a compound like 'brake-equipped'.)
adjective
British English
- The brake fluid was low.
- They checked the brake lights.
American English
- He replaced the brake pads.
- The brake line was leaking.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Push the brake pedal to stop the car.
- My bicycle has two brakes.
- The driver slammed on the brakes when the child ran into the road.
- Always check your brakes before a long journey.
- The government's new policy has effectively put the brakes on economic growth.
- Modern cars are fitted with anti-lock braking systems (ABS).
- The pilot applied differential braking to steer the aircraft on the icy runway.
- Her cautious nature acted as a brake on the team's more ambitious proposals.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a snake (the letter 'S' for safety) needing to 'brake' to avoid a cake. A snake braking for cake. Both 'brake' and 'cake' rhyme and contain 'ake'.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONTROL IS BRAKING / PROGRESS IS MOVING FORWARD (thus, slowing progress is applying the brakes).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'break' (ломать). The Russian word 'тормоз' covers both the device and a slow/unintelligent person (a colloquial insult), a connotation absent in English 'brake'.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'break' (e.g., 'I need to break my car.').
- Incorrect verb form: 'He braked the car' is correct; 'He braked' is correct; 'He breaked' is incorrect.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is the word 'brake' used CORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Brake' refers to a device for stopping or slowing motion. 'Break' primarily means to separate into pieces, to interrupt, or a pause. They are homophones (sound the same) but have completely different meanings and spellings.
No. While its primary use is for vehicles (cars, bikes, trains), it is also used for machinery (e.g., a band brake on a saw) and, very commonly, as a metaphor for slowing down any process (e.g., 'brake on spending').
The correct past tense is 'braked' (e.g., 'He braked quickly'). 'Breaked' is incorrect and is the past tense of 'to break'.
Essentially, yes. 'Handbrake' (common in UK English) typically refers to a lever operated by hand. 'Parking brake' or 'emergency brake' (common in US English) can be a hand lever or a foot pedal, but serves the same function of securing a stationary vehicle.