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REFERENCE

breakup

n.
US //ˈbɹeɪˌkəp// UK //bɹˈeɪkʌp// breakup
  1. 1 end of a relationship (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    the end of a romantic relationship or a marriage.

    the termination of a romantic relationship, partnership, or marriage.

    Example

    He took a long holiday to recover after his difficult breakup with his girlfriend.

    Example

    The sudden breakup of the high-profile couple sparked intense speculation in the media regarding the division of their shared assets.
  2. 2 division or fragmentation (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    the act of a large group or company splitting into smaller parts.

    the disintegration or division of a large entity, such as a corporation or political union, into smaller components.

    Example

    The breakup of the large company led to several smaller, independent businesses.

    Example

    Historians continue to debate the long-term geopolitical consequences resulting from the breakup of the Soviet Union in the early nineties.
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  1. 3 seasonal ice melting (n.)
    C1 Advanced Dialect

    the time of year when ice on rivers or lakes starts to melt and break apart.

    the seasonal disintegration of ice on bodies of water, typically marking the transition from winter to spring in northern climates.

    Example

    The villagers watched the river closely during the spring breakup to prepare for possible flooding.

    Example

    During the annual breakup, the thunderous sound of shifting ice floes can be heard for miles across the tundra.

    Usage

    Commonly used in Canadian and Alaskan English to refer to the spring season.

    Teacher's tip

    This is a regional term; in most other English-speaking areas, people simply say 'the thaw' or 'spring'.

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