Difference between Break and Brake

Key Difference: The most popular definition of break is to separate something into multiple pieces using force. The most popular definition of a brake is the noun, which is the mechanism in a car that allows it to slow down or come to a complete stop.

Break The words break and brake are often confused and used interchangeably because they sound the same. However, the words have complete different meanings even if they do sound exactly the same.

The similarity in pronunciation is because the words ‘break’ and ‘brake’ are actually homophones. Homophones are words that have the same pronunciation, but are spelled differently and have different meanings. Examples of homophones include hear/here, buy/by/bye, hour/our, etc.

And since the words sound exactly the same when pronounced, it is often confusing for a lot of newbies to understand which word is used when and in what context. Let’s take a closer look at the two words mean and how they differ from each other.

The word Break has a few different definitions that can be used in multiple contexts. It can also be used a verb as well as a noun. The most popular definition of break is that it is used to separate something into multiple pieces using force. For example – breaking a cup will result in smashing the cup until it is in multiple pieces. It can also be used as a noun, which means the act or action of breaking. For example – There was a break in the newly built dam.

Other definitions for break include:

to cause an open wound (as a transitive verb)
violate something (as a transitive verb)
to force entry into or burst a way through (as a transitive verb)
to escape with sudden forceful effort (as a intransitive verb)
to come apart or split into pieces (as a intransitive verb)
to interrupt one's activity or occupation for a brief period (as a intransitive verb)

Examples of break:

The skin broke open when she removed the thorn. (transitive verb)
He broke the law when he ran the red light. (transitive verb)
The kid ran through the throng of marchers.
The vase broke when it fell from the shelf.
He took a break from working for a quick snack.

The word Brake also has a few different definitions and usage. It can also be used as a transitive and an intransitive verb. However, the most popular definition of a brake is the noun, which is the mechanism in a car that allows it to slow down or come to a complete stop. For example – the emergency brakes in the car failed. As a verb, the word brake refers to the act of braking. For example – he started braking after he saw the dog run into the street.

Definitions of brake:

to slow or stop by or as if by a brake (as a transitive verb)
to operate or manage a brake (as an intransitive verb)
a device for arresting or preventing the motion of a mechanism usually by means of friction (noun)

Brake Examples of breaking:

Breaking the car is mandatory to let school children pass. (as a transitive verb)
Tom knew he will have to brake after the upcoming bend in the road. (as an intransitive verb)
The car brakes weren’t working properly, so Killian got them checked by the mechanic. (noun)

The most common confusion between the two arrives in knowing when to use the two words. Here’s an easy way to remember when to use them – the word break is a part of the breakfast as in he took a break to cook himself a quick breakfast. The other one refers to the device in the car that slows it down.

Comparison between Break and Brake:

	Break	Brake
Origin	Old English brecan (verb), of Germanic origin, meaning to break, shatter, burst, injure, violate, destroy, curtail, burst forth, subdue, tame.	Brake originated from late Middle English: possibly related to Middle Low German brake and Dutch braak, and perhaps also to break
Figure of Speech	Verb and Noun	Verb and Noun
Definition as a Transitive Verb (Merriam-Webster)	to separate into parts with suddenness or violence to cause an open wound violate something to force entry into or burst a way through to disrupt the order or compactness of to defeat utterly and end as an effective force Interrupt something to make known to split into smaller units, parts, or processes to check or slow the speed, force, or intensity of	to slow or stop by or as if by a brake
Definition as a Intransitive Verb (Merriam-Webster)	to escape with sudden forceful effort to come apart or split into pieces to interrupt one's activity or occupation for a brief period to alter sharply in tone, pitch, or intensity to end a relationship, connection, or agreement	to operate or manage a brake to become checked by a brake
Definition as Noun (Merriam-Webster)	an act or action of breaking a gap or opening caused or appearing as if caused by damage the action or act of entering, escaping, or emerging from something (such as darkness) often in a sudden or violent way	a device for arresting or preventing the motion of a mechanism usually by means of friction
Examples as a Transitive Verb	Rachel broke the plate when she dropped it. The fall broke her skin and resulting in bleeding. He was breaking the law by giving Sam the information. He broke through the chains on the door. The army punishes a soldier for breaking the formation. Not letting the prisoner sleep finally broke him. His laughter broke the silence in the exam hall. He broke the bad news about his company. She broke down the paper into smaller pieces to make it easier to understand. The bushes broke his fall.	Braking the car is required by law at a red light.
Examples as a intransitive Verb	The attacker broke through the throng of musicians. The plate broke when it fell from the table. Let’s break for lunch. His voice broke with emotion as he spoke about his mother. They broke up after 3 years.	Sam knew he will have to brakeafter the circle. The truck braked to a stop.
Example as a Noun	The newspaper has been published without a break since 1965. There were significant breaks in the ice. There was a jail break at Rikers.	He applied the brakes as the traffic light changed to red.

Reference: Merriam-Webster (Break, Brake), Writing Explained, Grammar,
EnhanceMyWriting.com, Grammarist, Key Differences, SoftSchools.com
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