breakout

American  

[breyk-out] / ˈbreɪkˌaʊt /

noun

1. an escape, often with the use of force, as from a prison or mental institution.

2. an appearance or manifestation, as of a disease, that is sudden and often widespread; outbreak.

3. an itemization; breakdown.

   a hotel bill with a breakout of each service offered.

4. an instance of surpassing any previous achievement.

   a breakout in gold prices.

5. the act or process of removing and disassembling equipment that has been used in drilling a well.

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adjective

1. of or constituting a sudden increase, advance, or unexpected success.

   The director has finally scored with a breakout movie.

Etymology

Origin of breakout

First recorded in 1810–20; noun use of verb phrase break out

Example Sentences

A four-time acting winner at the Césars - France's equivalent of the Oscars - Baye starred in some 80 films in her lifetime after breakout roles in the early 1970s.

From BBC • Apr. 18, 2026

Speaking from his office on the Raleigh Studios lot in Hollywood, Lee discussed the season’s Montecito setting, the financial anxiety that drives the story and the four-legged breakout star of the show.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

Her breakout play, “Vertebrae,” in 2012, was inspired by a romance Raicek had with a surgical resident.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

The stock had risen from around $165 during its 10-day rally, but investors await a breakout to new highs.

From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026

"But he was planning a breakout, wasn't he?"

From "City of the Plague God" by Sarwat Chadda