broken

adjective

bro·​ken ˈbrō-kən How to pronounce broken (audio)
1
: violently separated into parts : shattered
broken windows
2
: damaged or altered by or as if by breaking (see break entry 1): such as
a
: having undergone or been subjected to fracture
a broken leg
b
: not working properly
a broken camera
c
of land surfaces : being irregular, interrupted, or full of obstacles
a long broken ridge
d
: violated by transgression : not kept or honored
a broken promise
e
: discontinuous, interrupted
a broken sleep
f
: disrupted by change
g
of a tulip flower : having an irregular, streaked, or blotched pattern especially from virus infection
3
a
: made weak or infirm
his old, broken body
b
: subdued completely : crushed, sorrowful
a broken heart
a broken spirit
c
d
: reduced in rank
was broken from sergeant to private
4
a
: cut off : disconnected
spoke a few broken words
b
: imperfectly spoken or written
broken English
5
: not complete or full
a broken bale of hay
6
: disunited by divorce, separation, or desertion of one parent
children from broken homes
a broken family
brokenly adverb
brokenness noun

Examples of broken in a Sentence

The street was covered with broken glass. a broken vase that could not be repaired
Recent Examples on the Web Officers found the woman’s broken fingernail and a can of Mace nearby, suggesting a struggle occurred. Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 22 Mar. 2024 The woman was hospitalized with serious injuries, including a broken elbow and stomach tear, WNBC-TV reported, citing her daughter and a neighbor. Abigail Adams, Peoplemag, 21 Mar. 2024 Omega was awarded the Silver Snoopy in 1970 after the Speedmaster played a vital role during Apollo 13, serving as backup to the broken instruments during the mission, with Jack Swigert using his to time the critical 14-second rocket engine burn, allowing a safe return to Earth. Jeremy White, WIRED, 21 Mar. 2024 The [Office of Lottery and Gaming] waited years to take these types of steps despite what consumers and residents across the District of Columbia have said has been a broken program. Michael Brice-Saddler, Washington Post, 20 Mar. 2024 The victim sustained visible external injuries, with a possible broken nose. Anne Gelhaus, The Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2024 These out-of-pocket repairs are not recalls, warranty fixes or maintenance updates such as windshield wiper blades but, rather, problems related to worn out or broken parts. Detroit Free Press, 20 Mar. 2024 Jones belabored this point as well, once again citing packing too much and how a broken zipper can quickly turn messy if security is unable to quickly re-pack your belongings. Kelsey Chapman, ABC News, 18 Mar. 2024 Neighborhoods southeast of Downtown San Diego were completely decimated by overrun stormwater drains and broken infrastructure. Shane Harris, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'broken.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English brocen, from past participle of brecan to break

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of broken was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near broken

Cite this Entry

“Broken.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/broken. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

broken

adjective
bro·​ken ˈbrō-kən How to pronounce broken (audio)
1
: shattered into pieces
broken glass
2
a
: rough entry 1 sense 1a, uneven
broken terrain
b
: having gaps or breaks
a broken line
3
: not kept
a broken promise
4
: subdued completely
a broken spirit
5
: imperfectly spoken
broken English
6
: having undergone fracture
a broken leg
7
: having one parent missing (as because of divorce)
children from broken homes
brokenly adverb
brokenness noun

Medical Definition

broken

adjective
bro·​ken ˈbrō-kən How to pronounce broken (audio)
: having undergone or been subjected to fracture
a broken leg

Legal Definition

broken

past participle of break

More from Merriam-Webster on broken

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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