# breaker

/ˈbɹeɪkɝ/ (US) · /bɹˈeɪkɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/breaker
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. ocean wave

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

- The sound of the breakers hitting the rocks kept us awake all night.
- Experienced sailors watch for breakers on the horizon, as they often signal the presence of dangerous submerged reefs or sandbars.

### 3. vehicle recycler

noun · CEFR C1 · British English

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

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

- I managed to find a cheap replacement door for my car at the local breaker's yard.
- The mechanic suggested visiting a breaker to source a vintage transmission that is no longer in production by the original manufacturer.

### 4. breakdancer

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a person who performs breakdancing.

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

- The breakers performed incredible spins on a piece of cardboard in the park.
- The competition drew breakers from across the country, each showcasing a unique blend of athletic power moves and rhythmic footwork.

### 5. industrial machine

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

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

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

- The mining company installed a new rock breaker to speed up production.
- The primary breaker reduced the granite boulders to manageable sizes before they were transported to the secondary processing plant.

### 6. radio greeting

interjection · CEFR C2 · American English · Informal · Archaic

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

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

- Breaker one-nine, does anyone have a report on the traffic ahead?
- The driver keyed the microphone and uttered a standard breaker to check if any other operators were within range on the highway.

## Examples

- The surfers waited for a big breaker to come in.
- The small boat struggled to stay upright as a massive breaker crashed over its bow near the rocky coast.
- From the safety of the lighthouse, we watched the rhythmic assault of the breakers as they dissolved into a chaotic spray against the jagged cliffs.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.