housebreak

verb

house·​break ˈhau̇s-ˌbrāk How to pronounce housebreak (audio)
housebroke ˈhau̇s-ˌbrōk How to pronounce housebreak (audio) ; housebroken ˈhau̇s-ˌbrō-kən How to pronounce housebreak (audio) ; housebreaking

transitive verb

1
: to make housebroken
2
a
: to teach acceptable social manners to
b

Examples of housebreak in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web A crate can be instrumental in housebreaking a dog or dealing with other issues such as inappropriate chewing. Joan Morris, The Mercury News, 12 June 2017 Sullivan compared her work with Keller to housebreaking a dog. Elizabeth Engelman, New York Times, 26 May 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'housebreak.' 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

back-formation from housebroken

First Known Use

1876, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of housebreak was in 1876

Dictionary Entries Near housebreak

Cite this Entry

“Housebreak.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/housebreak. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

housebreak

verb
house·​break -ˌbrāk How to pronounce housebreak (audio)
housebroke; housebroken; housebreaking
: to make housebroken

Medical Definition

housebreak

transitive verb
house·​break ˈhau̇s-ˌbrāk How to pronounce housebreak (audio)
housebroke -ˌbrōk How to pronounce housebreak (audio) ; housebroken -ˌbrō-kən How to pronounce housebreak (audio) ; housebreaking
: to make housebroken

More from Merriam-Webster on housebreak

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