breaking noun. ['breɪkɪŋ] OE.
[from BREAK verb + -ING¹.]
1. The action of BREAK verb. OE.
breaking of bread: see BREAD noun¹.
b. Phonology. The development of a diphthong from a simple vowel owing to the influence of an adjacent sound, esp. a following consonant; a diphthong so formed. L19.
c. Break-dancing. L20.

2. A piece of land newly ploughed for the first time. US. M19.

Comb.:
breaking ball Baseball a pitch that changes direction, esp. a curve ball or slider; breaking-point the point at which a thing or person gives way under stress; breaking-strength the maximum stress that a thing can withstand without breaking.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲