Breaker

/ˈbreɪkər/

nounIntermediate🔥Very CommonGeneral
2 meanings2 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

Something that causes a break or interruption.

/ˈbreɪkər/

nounneutralIntermediate
General

A person or thing that breaks something.

The circuit breaker tripped.

💡 Simply: Something that breaks things.

More Examples

2

The wave breaker protected the coastline.

How It's Used

Surfing

"He was an experienced wave breaker."

Construction

"The demolition crew used a breaker to tear down the building."

2

A safety device that automatically interrupts an electrical circuit.

/ˈbreɪkər/

nounneutralIntermediate
Technology

A device that interrupts an electrical circuit.

The circuit breaker is essential for safety.

💡 Simply: A switch that stops electricity.

How It's Used

Electrical Engineering

"The breaker stopped the flow of electricity."

Tip:It 'breaks' the circuit.

From Middle English *breker, from Old English *brēcere, from *brēcan "to break".

The word has been used in its electrical context since the late 19th century.

Memory tip

Think of a wave breaker, breaking the waves.

Word Origin

Original meaning

"to break"

circuit breakerwave breaker

Common misspellings

brakerbreakr

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written