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REFERENCE

breast

n. · v.
US //ˈbɹɛst// UK //bɹˈɛst// breast
  1. 1 anatomy (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Medicine

    one of the two soft parts on a woman's chest that can produce milk.

    either of the two mammary glands on the upper anterior of the female thorax.

    Example

    The doctor showed her how to check for any unusual lumps in her breast.

    Example

    Early detection of abnormalities in breast tissue significantly improves the success rate of subsequent medical interventions.
  2. 2 meat/cooking (n.)
    A2 Elementary Cooking

    meat from the front part of a bird or animal, like a chicken.

    a cut of meat from the chest of a bird or animal, valued for being lean.

    Example

    She grilled a chicken breast and served it with a fresh salad.

    Example

    The chef recommended poaching the turkey breast at a low temperature to ensure the meat remained moist and tender.
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  1. 3 the chest area (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Literary

    the front part of a person's body between the neck and the stomach.

    the anterior surface of the human thorax.

    Example

    He held the crying child close to his breast to comfort him.

    Example

    The soldier clutched the locket against his breast, drawing strength from the portrait inside during the long night watch.
  2. 4 seat of emotion (n.)
    C1 Advanced Literary

    your heart or inner feelings.

    the figurative seat of one's innermost thoughts, secrets, or emotions.

    Example

    Hope began to grow again within her breast after she heard the news.

    Example

    The poet spoke of the dark secrets hidden within the human breast, which no law or logic could ever fully tame.
  3. 5 swimming (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal Sport

    a short way of saying the breaststroke.

    a clipping of breaststroke, referring to the swimming style performed on the chest.

    Example

    She won the gold medal in the 100-metre breast.

    Example

    Despite being a strong freestyler, he struggled to maintain his pace during the breast leg of the individual medley.
    • breaststroke
  4. 6 to reach the top (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Literary

    to reach the top of a hill or a wave.

    to reach the crest or summit of a physical feature such as a hill or wave.

    Example

    As they breasted the hill, the entire valley came into view.

    Example

    The hikers finally breasted the ridge just as the first rays of sunlight began to illuminate the peaks across the canyon.
  5. 7 to face or oppose (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Literary

    to push through or face something difficult directly.

    to struggle against or confront an obstacle directly; to meet full on.

    Example

    The small boat breasted the waves as it headed out to sea.

    Example

    The explorers had to breast the icy winds for three days before reaching the safety of the base camp.
Origin

From Middle English brest, from Old English brēost, from Proto-West Germanic breust, from Proto-Germanic breustą, from Proto-Indo-European *bʰrews- (“to swell”). Compare West Frisian boarst, Danish bryst, Swedish bröst; cf. also Dutch borst, German Brust.

Word family
Idioms1 entry

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