breaking
B1Neutral to formal
Definition
Meaning
The act of causing something to separate into pieces suddenly and violently, often by force; or the state of being so separated.
Also refers to interrupting continuity, surpassing limits, making new discoveries, or a style of dance. In media, means releasing important news first.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Serves primarily as the present participle and gerund of the verb 'to break'. Also functions as a noun (gerund) and can be an adjective in certain fixed compounds (e.g., breaking news).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor differences in compound nouns (e.g., 'breaktime' more common in UK vs. 'recess' in US for school). 'Break-in' as noun follows same pattern. 'Breaking and entering' is a legal term in both.
Connotations
Largely identical. 'Breaking news' is a standard journalistic term globally, though US media may use it more frequently in 24-hour news cycles.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in US English in media/journalism contexts (e.g., 'breaking story').
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[S] + break + [O] (transitive)[S] + break + [O] + [Adj/Adv] (complex transitive)[S] + break + [AdvP/PP] (intransitive)[S] + break + [O] + of + [NP] (e.g., break someone of a habit)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Breaking the ice”
- “Breaking the bank”
- “Breaking new ground”
- “Breaking even”
- “Breaking point”
- “Breaking bread”
- “Breaking wind”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
'Breaking into a new market' is a common phrase. 'Breaking even' refers to reaching a point of no profit/no loss.
Academic
Used in physics ('breaking strain'), law ('breaking a contract'), and social sciences ('breaking social norms').
Everyday
Most common for objects, rules, habits, news, and dawn.
Technical
In engineering: material failure. In dance: 'breakdancing'. In broadcasting: interrupting scheduled programming.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He is breaking the biscuit into his tea.
- They are breaking for lunch at half one.
American English
- She is breaking the cookie in half.
- The news channel is breaking into regular programming.
adverb
British English
- This technology is ground-breaking.
- The wave crashed shore-breaking.
American English
- It was a record-breaking performance.
- The heart-breaking news spread quickly.
adjective
British English
- Stay tuned for breaking news.
- The breaking strain of the cable was exceeded.
American English
- We have breaking news from the Capitol.
- He's a breaking story reporter.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The boy is breaking the chocolate bar.
- Stop breaking the toys!
- The news is breaking about the election results.
- She is trying to stop breaking her promises.
- The company is focusing on breaking into the Asian market.
- The constant stress brought him to his breaking point.
- The research team is on the verge of breaking new ground in renewable energy.
- His testimony was instrumental in breaking the conspiracy wide open.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a BRAKE on a car FAILING (brake-ing) and causing something to BREAK.
Conceptual Metaphor
CHANGE IS BREAKING (breaking with tradition), DIFFICULTIES ARE SOLID OBJECTS TO BE BROKEN (breaking a deadlock), DISCOVERY IS BREAKING THROUGH (breaking new ground).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с 'ломающийся' (breaking) и 'сломанный' (broken). 'Breaking news' = 'срочные новости', а не 'ломающиеся новости'. 'Breaking point' = 'предел прочности/терпения'. 'Breaking wind' = идиоматично для 'пукать'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'breaking' as a simple adjective for a broken object (incorrect: 'a breaking vase'; correct: 'a broken vase').
- Confusing 'breaking' (process) with 'breakage' (result/instance).
- Misspelling as 'braking' (which relates to slowing down).
Practice
Quiz
In which context does 'breaking' function primarily as an adjective?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is primarily the present participle/gerund of the verb 'break', but it functions as a noun (gerund) when it names the activity (e.g., 'The breaking of the law').
'Breaking news' is news that is happening or being reported at this very moment, often interrupting other broadcasts. 'Latest news' is simply the most recent news, but not necessarily happening live.
Not typically as a direct adjective. You would say 'a heartbroken person', not 'a breaking person'. However, you can say 'a person is breaking down' (emotionally).
It originates from the breaks in funk and soul music where the percussion section would play an isolated, rhythmic 'break'. Dancers would perform improvisational moves during these breaks, hence 'breakdancing' or 'breaking'.
Collections
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Media and Communication
B1 · 50 words · Language for discussing media and communication.