break of day: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 (very low frequency, literary/poetic)Literary, poetic, archaic; rarely used in modern everyday speech.
Quick answer
What does “break of day” mean?
The time in the early morning when daylight first appears.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The time in the early morning when daylight first appears; dawn.
The moment or period when night transitions into day, characterized by the first light on the horizon. It can also be used metaphorically to signify the beginning of something new or hopeful.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The phrase is equally archaic/literary in both variants.
Connotations
Evokes a romantic, pastoral, or solemn imagery. More likely found in hymns, poetry, or historical contexts.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in contemporary use for both. It is a fossilized phrase.
Grammar
How to Use “break of day” in a Sentence
[prepositional phrase] at the break of day[verb] by the break of dayVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Rare, except in historical or literary analysis.
Everyday
Very rare; 'dawn' or 'sunrise' are standard.
Technical
Not used in technical contexts; 'civil twilight' or 'sunrise' are precise terms.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “break of day”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “break of day”
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'The day breaks of' is incorrect).
- Confusing it with 'break of the day' meaning a rest period.
- Using it in casual conversation where 'dawn' is expected.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is considered literary, poetic, or archaic. In everyday speech, 'dawn', 'sunrise', or 'daybreak' are used.
No, 'break of the day' is not a standard phrase for dawn. It might be misinterpreted as a 'break' (rest period) during the day.
It functions exclusively as a noun phrase (e.g., 'We left at the break of day').
They are synonymous, but 'crack of dawn' is slightly more informal and idiomatic, while 'break of day' is more literary.
The time in the early morning when daylight first appears.
Break of day is usually literary, poetic, archaic; rarely used in modern everyday speech. in register.
Break of day: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbreɪk əv ˈdeɪ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbreɪk əv ˈdeɪ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “At the break of day (fixed temporal phrase)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a dark night sky breaking apart to let the day through.
Conceptual Metaphor
DAY IS A CONTAINER (that breaks open); BEGINNING IS THE DAWN.
Practice
Quiz
'Break of day' is closest in meaning to: