breaking

¹

[ brey-king ]

adjective

1. (of a news story) currently developing or having happened recently and being released for publication or airing, as on television or radio, in print, or on the internet:

   Our network aims to be your trusted source for breaking news, local weather, and sports.

2. coming into being suddenly:

   When I awoke, it was breaking day over the eastern horizon.

3. changing or collapsing suddenly:

   This is a photograph of a breaking wave in the subantarctic waters of the Southern Ocean.

breaking

²

[ brey-king ]

noun

1. Phonology. the change of a pure vowel to a diphthong, especially in certain environments, as, in Old English, the change of a vowel to a diphthong under the influence of a following consonant or combination of consonants, as the change of -a- to -ea- and of -e- to -eo- before preconsonantal r or l and before h, as in earm “arm” developed from arm, and eorthe “earth” from erthe.

breaking

³

[ brey-king ]

noun

1. break dancing.

breaking

/ ˈbreɪkɪŋ /

noun

1. linguistics (in Old English, Old Norse, etc) the change of a vowel into a diphthong

Word History and Origins

Origin of breaking¹

First recorded in 1930–35; break ( def ) (in the sense “to release a news story for publication”) + -ing ²( def )

Origin of breaking²

First recorded in 1870–75; translation of German Brechung; break, -ing ¹

Origin of breaking³

First recorded in 1980–85; by ellipsis

Word History and Origins

Origin of breaking¹

C19: translation of German Brechung

Example Sentences

That’s sent water treatment operators scrambling to find ways to decontaminate water supplies without breaking the bank.

From Science Magazine

Now breaking down game film from Michigan games on Sundays, Alford rarely gets to watch his protege for extended periods now.

From Los Angeles Times

The decades since the ban have been marked with ugly, sometimes violent, clashes between hunts and saboteur groups - who accuse them of breaking the law.

From BBC

While it's important to validate feelings, she says, parents should also set clear boundaries on aggressive behavior like hurting others or breaking things.

From Science Daily

While the federal lawsuit against Google began in his first administration, the president-elect has said that he opposed breaking up the company.

From New York Times