fast break

¹ American

noun

Basketball.

a play or method of play that brings the ball from one end of the court to the other quickly, usually by one or two quick passes in an attempt by the offensive team to score before the defensive team can get into position.

fast-break ² American

[fast-breyk, fahst-] / ˈfæstˈbreɪk, ˈfɑst- /

verb (used without object)

Basketball.

fast-broke, fast-broken, fast-breaking

to execute or play in the style of a fast break.

Etymology

Origin of fast break

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Two days off between games left James looking spry, with lob dunks and dunks on the fast break contributing to his 21 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2026

The Gators like to get out in the fast break, but Iowa countered with a snail-paced offense style of any team in the nation this season.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

With just under a minute left, Davidson hit the floor to get a steal and coach Lindsay Gottlieb called a timeout as a fast break was developing.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 21, 2026

Redondo Union loves to fast break and create scoring opportunities with its defense.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 15, 2026

We missed at the other end, and English didn’t push the fast break.

From "All American Boys" by Jason Reynolds

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023