breakup

[ breyk-uhp ]

noun

1. disintegration; disruption; dispersal.
2. the ending of a personal, especially a romantic, relationship.
3. (in Alaska and Canada)
   1. the melting and loosening of ice in rivers and harbors during the early spring.
   2. the first day on which such ice is soft or dispersed enough to permit ships to use the waterways.
4. Informal. an act or instance of being convulsed with laughter.
5. temporary distortion in a televised picture.

Word History and Origins

Origin of breakup¹

First recorded in 1785–95; noun use of verb phrase break up

Example Sentences

A Chrome divestiture would achieve the kind of corporate breakup that regulators failed to force upon Microsoft two decades ago.

From New York Times

But there was an additional inspiration that might explain why the music evokes such deep reservoirs of feeling: It started off as a breakup song.

From New York Times

“Submarine,” the band’s 2024 LP, documented an intra-band breakup with poise and panache, and featured some of the group’s most precise writing and ambitious production yet.

From Los Angeles Times

The Rams must find ways to eliminate teams, “instead of just going into dogfights,” said cornerback Cobie Durant, who had two pass breakups.

From Los Angeles Times

The decision comes as regulators are taking a firmer stance with big tech companies worldwide, with the US government considering a breakup of Google.

From BBC

Related Words

• breakdown
• disintegration
• dissolution
• divorce
• separation
• split
• termination