breaker

¹

[brey-ker]

noun

1. a person or thing that breaks.

2. a wave that breaks or dashes into foam.

3. Citizens Band Radio Slang.,  a person who indicates a wish to transmit a message, as by breaking in on a channel.

4. Also called breaker strip. Automotive.,  a strip of fabric under the tread of a pneumatic tire casing, designed to protect the carcass.

5. Textiles.

   1. brake.

   2. a machine that separates the fiber from foreign matter in preparation for the carding process.

6. Also called prairie breaker. a plow with a long, low moldboard for turning virgin land.

7. Electricity.,  circuit breaker.

8. Mining.

   1. a building where coal delivered from a mine is broken up and sorted.

   2. a machine that reduces large lumps of coal or ore to a size that can be accommodated by a conveyor belt.

9. a break dancer.

interjection

1. Citizens Band Radio Slang.,  (used to announce that a person is about to transmit a message or question on a channel, especially one already in use.)

breaker

²

[brey-ker]

noun

Nautical.

1. a small water cask for use in a boat.

breaker

¹

/ ˈbreɪkə /

noun

1. a person or thing that breaks something, such as a person or firm that breaks up old cars, etc

2. a large wave with a white crest on the open sea or one that breaks into foam on the shore

3. electronics short for circuit breaker

4. a machine or plant for crushing rocks or coal

5. Also called: breaking plough. a plough with a long shallow mouldboard for turning virgin land or sod land

6. textiles a machine for extracting fibre preparatory to carding

7. an operator on citizens' band radio

breaker

²

/ ˈbreɪkə /

noun

1. a small water cask for use in a boat

breaker

1. A wave that crests or breaks into foam, as against a shoreline.

2. A circuit breaker.

Word History and Origins

Origin of breaker¹

First recorded in 1125–75; break + -er ¹ ( def. )

Origin of breaker²

First recorded in 1825–35; said to be alteration of Spanish bareca, variant of barrica “small keg”

Word History and Origins

Origin of breaker¹

C19: anglicized variant of Spanish barrica , from French (Gascon dialect) barrique

Synonym Study

See wave.

Example Sentences

What’s bad for artists is good for him: His reviews become desperately sought-after career makers or breakers.

From Los Angeles Times

They were a nuisance and an obstacle, yes, but also a punchline and an ice breaker.

From Los Angeles Times

Do not reward the law breaker who was aware of the possible consequences from the beginning.

From Los Angeles Times

In comparison, New York is the young upstart, and we really liked the juxtaposition of the old, the tradition, the steeped in history, versus the new rule breakers.

From Los Angeles Times

These "gaffes" were considered deal breakers and no matter how hard they tried to show off their skills at mingling with ordinary voters, they were given no quarter.

From Salon