First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1brake
\ˈbrāk\
2brake
noun
Definition of BRAKE
: the common bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum)
Origin of BRAKE
Middle English, fern, probably back-formation from braken bracken
3brake
noun
Definition of BRAKE
1
: a toothed instrument or machine for separating out the fiber of flax or hemp by breaking up the woody parts
2
: a machine for bending, flanging, folding, and forming sheet metal
Origin of BRAKE
Middle English, from Middle Low German; akin to Old English brecan to break
First Known Use: 15th century
4brake
noun
Definition of BRAKE
: rough or marshy land overgrown usually with one kind of plant
— braky \ˈbrā-kē\ adjective
Origin of BRAKE
Middle English -brake
First Known Use: 1562
Other Ecology Terms
5brake
noun
Definition of BRAKE
1
: a device for arresting or preventing the motion of a mechanism usually by means of friction
2
: something used to slow down or stop movement or activity <use interest rates as a brake on spending>
— brake·less \ˈbrā-kləs\ adjective
Origin of BRAKE
perhaps from obsolete brake bridle
First Known Use: circa 1782
Other Automotive Terms
6brake
verb
: to use the brake on a vehicle
brakedbrak·ing
Full Definition of BRAKE
transitive verb
: to retard or stop by or as if by a brake
intransitive verb
1
: to operate or manage a brake; especially : to apply the brake on a vehicle
2
: to become checked by a brake
See brake defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of BRAKE
1868
Related to BRAKE
- Synonyms
- slow, decelerate, retard, slacken
- Antonyms
- accelerate, hasten, hurry, quicken, rush, speed (up), step up
Other Automotive Terms
BRAKE Defined for Kids
1brake
noun \ˈbrāk\
Definition of BRAKE for Kids
: a device for slowing or stopping motion (as of a wheel) usually by friction
2brake
verb
brakedbrak·ing
Definition of BRAKE for Kids
: to slow or stop by using a brake <I had to brake suddenly.>
Learn More About BRAKE
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