Phrase guide

word break

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A point in writing where a word is split so that part of it is relegated to the next line, typically at the end of a syllable and marked with a hyphen: an intersyllabic division.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: usually

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A word boundary, as operationally defined by either linguistics or computing.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From word + break.

Across languages

Translations

8 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Dutch: woordafbreking — a point in writing where a word is split so that part of it is relegated to the next line, typically at the end of a syllable and marked with a hyphen
  • French: coupure — a point in writing where a word is split so that part of it is relegated to the next line, typically at the end of a syllable and marked with a hyphen
  • German: Worttrennung — a point in writing where a word is split so that part of it is relegated to the next line, typically at the end of a syllable and marked with a hyphen
  • Hungarian: elválasztás — a point in writing where a word is split so that part of it is relegated to the next line, typically at the end of a syllable and marked with a hyphen
  • Hungarian: szóelválasztás — a point in writing where a word is split so that part of it is relegated to the next line, typically at the end of a syllable and marked with a hyphen
  • Spanish: salto de palabra — a point in writing where a word is split so that part of it is relegated to the next line, typically at the end of a syllable and marked with a hyphen
  • Spanish: linde de palabra — a word boundary
  • Spanish: limes de palabra — a word boundary