break

Break is a term that denotes a disruption of continuity or a pause in activity. It can describe a temporary cessation intended for rest, or a rupture in something that was previously whole. The word comes from Old English brecan, linked to the Proto-Germanic root brekan, and is used across many languages with similar meanings of tearing, shattering, or interrupting.

In biology and materials science, break refers to fracture: a bone break, a crack in a metal, ceramic, or rock; in mechanics it describes rupture or separation under stress. Fractures can be classified by mechanism (impact, fatigue) and by pattern (transverse, oblique, comminuted).

In computing, break is a control statement that terminates the execution of a loop or switch, transferring program flow to the next statement after the loop. A breakpoint is a debugging aid that pauses execution at a specified point to inspect state.

In daily life, a break is a planned pause from work or activity, such as a coffee break, lunch break, or vacation. Breaks can help restore attention, reduce fatigue, and improve safety, and many workplaces schedule regular breaks within shifts.

In idioms and phrases, break has broad usage: to break a record, break the ice, break even, break apart, or to break with tradition, reflecting its role as a flexible marker of disruption, transition, or attainment.