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REFERENCE

breaker

n. · interj.
US //ˈbɹeɪkɝ// UK //bɹˈeɪkɐ// break·er
  1. 1 ocean wave (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a large wave that collapses into white foam as it hits the shore or a rock.

    a heavy sea wave that breaks into white foam upon reaching the shore or a shallow reef.

    Example

    The sound of the breakers hitting the rocks kept us awake all night.

    Example

    Experienced sailors watch for breakers on the horizon, as they often signal the presence of dangerous submerged reefs or sandbars.
  2. 2 vehicle recycler (n.)
    C1 Advanced British English

    a person or business that buys old or damaged cars to take them apart and sell the pieces.

    a person or commercial yard specializing in the dismantling of machinery or vehicles to salvage functional components.

    Example

    I managed to find a cheap replacement door for my car at the local breaker's yard.

    Example

    The mechanic suggested visiting a breaker to source a vintage transmission that is no longer in production by the original manufacturer.
    • scrapper
    • dismantler
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  1. 3 breakdancer (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    a person who performs breakdancing.

    a practitioner of breakdancing, typically associated with hip-hop culture.

    Example

    The breakers performed incredible spins on a piece of cardboard in the park.

    Example

    The competition drew breakers from across the country, each showcasing a unique blend of athletic power moves and rhythmic footwork.
    • b boy
    • b girl
  2. 4 industrial machine (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Technical

    a heavy machine used to crush rocks or coal into smaller pieces.

    a mechanical device designed to crush or fragment large masses of material, such as ore, rock, or coal.

    Example

    The mining company installed a new rock breaker to speed up production.

    Example

    The primary breaker reduced the granite boulders to manageable sizes before they were transported to the secondary processing plant.
  3. 5 radio greeting (interj.)
    C2 Proficiency American English Informal Archaic

    a word used to start a conversation on a CB radio.

    a conventional call used to initiate communication or request a response on a Citizens Band radio frequency.

    Example

    Breaker one-nine, does anyone have a report on the traffic ahead?

    Example

    The driver keyed the microphone and uttered a standard breaker to check if any other operators were within range on the highway.

Etymology 1

From Middle English breker, brekere, equivalent to break + -er. Cognate with Dutch breker, German Low German Breker, German Brecher.

Etymology 2

Probably from Spanish barrica (“barrel”). Doublet of barrique.

Word family

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