broken water: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (Specialist/Medical Context); Very Low (Metaphorical)Medical, Informal (when discussing childbirth), Literary (metaphorical).
Quick answer
What does “broken water” mean?
A phrase referring to the rupture of the amniotic sac during pregnancy, signalling the onset of labour.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A phrase referring to the rupture of the amniotic sac during pregnancy, signalling the onset of labour.
In broader metaphorical usage, it can signify the point of irreversible change or the beginning of a significant, often difficult, process.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. 'Waters' (plural) is standard in UK medical/midwifery contexts. In the US, 'water' (singular) is also commonly heard in informal usage (e.g., 'my water broke').
Connotations
Equally clinical or personal in both dialects. The plural 'waters' may sound slightly more formal or traditional in the US.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in UK everyday discourse due to common use of the term 'waters' by the National Health Service (NHS) and midwives.
Grammar
How to Use “broken water” in a Sentence
[Subject: pregnant person] + [Verb: break] + [Object: waters] (e.g., She broke her waters.)[Subject: waters] + [Verb: break] (e.g., Her waters broke.)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “broken water” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The midwife confirmed her waters had broken in the early hours.
American English
- She called the doctor immediately after her water broke.
adjective
British English
- She was admitted to the delivery suite with broken waters.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in medical, midwifery, and nursing literature.
Everyday
Used in personal narratives and discussions about childbirth.
Technical
A layperson's term for 'spontaneous rupture of membranes' (SROM).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “broken water”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “broken water”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “broken water”
- Using 'water broke' as a present tense event description (usually past tense: 'broke').
- Saying 'broken the water' instead of the more natural 'waters broke'.
- Confusing it with 'water breaking' in a non-medical sense (e.g., a pipe).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are used. 'Waters' is more standard in UK medical contexts, while 'water' is common in US informal speech. The plural reflects the volume of amniotic fluid.
Not always. Labour usually follows soon after, but sometimes contractions need to be stimulated. You should always contact a healthcare provider.
Yes, a midwife or doctor can perform an 'amniotomy' using a small tool to rupture the membranes, often to induce or speed up labour.
It can describe the pivotal moment when a tense or stagnant situation suddenly changes, initiating a new and often tumultuous phase (e.g., 'The scandal was the broken water; now the flood of resignations begins.').
A phrase referring to the rupture of the amniotic sac during pregnancy, signalling the onset of labour.
Broken water is usually medical, informal (when discussing childbirth), literary (metaphorical). in register.
Broken water: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbrəʊ.kən ˈwɔː.təz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbroʊ.kən ˈwɔː.t̬ɚz/ (or /ˈwɑː.t̬ɚz/). Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The calm before the storm (metaphorically linked to the period before waters break).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a small dam (the amniotic sac) breaking and water flowing out, signalling the start of a journey (labour).
Conceptual Metaphor
BEGINNING IS A RUPTURE / A CONTAINER RELEASING ITS CONTENTS.
Practice
Quiz
What is the most accurate technical term for 'broken water'?