break

/breɪk/ noun [C]

Definition

› WORKPLACE a short period of rest, when food or drink is sometimes taken: a coffee/tea break Where do you go in your lunch break?have/take a break We'll work through till lunch but take a short break at 11 o'clock.

› a time away from work or from a regular activity: the Christmas break She resumed her career after a two-year break.

› a short period when a radio or television programme is interrupted by announcements or advertisements: We'll be right back after the break.

› US a reduction in the amount that has to be paid for something: They are changing their pricing policy and offering small investors a big price break.break on sth New customers will be given a break on maintenance fees.

› an opportunity for improving a situation, especially one which happens unexpectedly: Her big break came when she was offered a major part in a new movie.

a break above/below sth › an occasion when levels or figures become slightly higher or lower than the level stated: Gold prices rallied again, a move which traders said could foreshadow another break above $400 an ounce.

→ See also bio break, career break, tax break

(Definition of break noun from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)