Definition of "breaking" []

• The change of a simple vowel to a diphthong, especially in various Germanic languages, often caused by the influence of neighboring consonants. (noun)
• A form of urban dance involving styles such as rocking, popping, and b-boying, usually performed to funk. Also called break dancing. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "He shows how frequently this principle is misunderstood by the inexperienced, who seem to think that rubato means breaking the time; whereas true rubato is the _bending_ of the time, but not _breaking_ it."
• ""I believe the official description is that it broke even, but that relies on a highly creative definition of the term 'breaking even'," Maharaj said."
• "Mr. Haywood may be the one to catch dropping in for a tag breaking from the rail."