“Brake” or “Break”

Overview

brake / break are similar-sounding terms with different meanings (referred to as homophones). To better understand the differences, see below for definitions, pronunciation guides, and example sentences using each term. 👇

Definitions

brake: (noun) a restraint used to slow or stop a vehicle. (noun) any of various ferns of the genus Pteris having pinnately compound leaves and including several popular houseplants. (noun) an area thickly overgrown usually with one kind of plant. (noun) anything that slows or hinders a process. (verb) stop travelling by applying a brake. (verb) cause to stop by applying the brakes.

break: (noun) an unexpected piece of good luck. (noun) the occurrence of breaking. (noun) an abrupt change in the tone or register of the voice (as at puberty or due to emotion). (noun) the opening shot that scatters the balls in billiards or pool. (noun) (tennis) a score consisting of winning a game when your opponent was serving. (noun) an act of delaying or interrupting the continuity. (noun) a sudden dash. (noun) an escape from jail. (verb) become separated into pieces or fragments. (verb) render inoperable or ineffective. (verb) ruin completely. (verb) destroy the integrity of; usually by force; cause to separate into pieces or fragments. (verb) move away or escape suddenly. (verb) scatter or part. (verb) force out or release suddenly and often violently something pent up. (verb) prevent completion. (verb) come into being. (verb) interrupt a continued activity. (verb) make a rupture in the ranks of the enemy or one's own by quitting or fleeing. (verb) curl over and fall apart in surf or foam, of waves. (verb) be broken in. (verb) come to an end. (verb) vary or interrupt a uniformity or continuity. (verb) cause to give up a habit. (verb) give up. (verb) come forth or begin from a state of latency. (verb) happen or take place. (verb) cause the failure or ruin of. (verb) invalidate by judicial action. (verb) change directions suddenly. (verb) emerge from the surface of a body of water. (verb) exchange for smaller units of money. (verb) destroy the completeness of a set of related items. (verb) make the opening shot that scatters the balls. (verb) separate from a clinch, in boxing. (verb) go to pieces. (verb) break a piece from a whole. (verb) become punctured or penetrated. (verb) pierce or penetrate. (verb) be released or become known; of news. (verb) interrupt the flow of current in. (verb) undergo breaking. (verb) find a flaw in. (verb) find the solution or key to. (verb) change suddenly from one tone quality or register to another. (verb) happen. (verb) crack; of the male voice in puberty. (verb) fall sharply. (verb) diminish or discontinue abruptly. (verb) weaken or destroy in spirit or body.

Pronunciation

brake: b·r·EY·k

break: b·r·EY·k

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