breakaway
Americannoun
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an act or instance of breaking away; secession; separation.
the breakaway of two provinces from a state.
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a departure or break from routine or tradition.
a three-day breakaway in the Bahamas.
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a person or thing that breaks away.
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an object, as a theatrical prop, constructed so that it breaks or falls apart easily, especially upon impact.
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Ice Hockey. a sudden rush down the ice by a player or players in an attempt to score a goal, after breaking clear of defending opponents.
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Football. a run by an offensive player breaking through the defense for a long gain.
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Basketball. fast break.
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Australian.
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a stampede.
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an animal that breaks away from the herd or flock.
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adjective
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of, relating to, or being that which separates or secedes.
the breakaway faction of the Socialist party.
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departing from routine or tradition.
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constructed of such lightweight material or in such a way as to shatter or come apart easily.
breakaway highway signposts; Build a breakaway set for the barroom brawl.
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(of theatrical costumes) constructed so as to be quickly removable, as by a performer playing several roles.
noun
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loss or withdrawal of a group of members from an association, club, etc
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( as modifier )
a breakaway faction
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sport
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a sudden attack, esp from a defensive position, in football, hockey, etc
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an attempt to get away from the rest of the field in a race
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a stampede of cattle, esp at the smell of water
verb
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(often foll by from) to leave hastily or escape
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to withdraw or secede
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sport to make a breakaway
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horse racing to start prematurely
Etymology
Origin of breakaway
First recorded in 1885–95; noun, adj. use of verb phrase break away
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.
Somaliland is willing to give the United States access to its minerals and military bases, a minister has told AFP, as the breakaway region of Somalia seeks international recognition.
From Barron's
Since 2017, separatist fighters in the country's two English-speaking regions have been campaigning for the creation of a breakaway state.
From BBC
For the second straight day, Milan's Lidl-Trek team managed the stage perfectly, this time reeling in a breakaway trio three kilometres from the line.
From Barron's
Three little words rarely heard together in the Muslim world, and yet have become a common phrase in Somaliland, the breakaway region of Somalia.
From Barron's
"The guys in the breakaway were really very strong, but my teammates did a great job keeping the breakaway under control."
From Barron's
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
