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
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
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
Hurt In Minors, In Hall Of Fame A broken arm at age 19 while diving for a flyball in the minors turned a promising pitcher into a full-time outfielder who hit his way into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
—
Chuck Murr, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
The most poignant of those messages came from safety Josh Metellus, who posted a broken heart emoji that indicated the Vikings were moving on from his best friend.
—Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 10 Mar. 2025
The fittings in the toilets for toilet paper and a soap dispenser were all broken and empty.
—Amitava Kumar, The New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2025
Mat Barzal, who may not return this season from a broken kneecap, could return to center next season.
—Arthur Staple, The Athletic, 8 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for broken
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Chuck Murr, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
The most poignant of those messages came from safety Josh Metellus, who posted a broken heart emoji that indicated the Vikings were moving on from his best friend.
—Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 10 Mar. 2025
The fittings in the toilets for toilet paper and a soap dispenser were all broken and empty.
—Amitava Kumar, The New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2025
Mat Barzal, who may not return this season from a broken kneecap, could return to center next season.
—Arthur Staple, The Athletic, 8 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for broken
Cite this Entry
“Broken.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/broken. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
broken
adjective
bro·ken
ˈbrō-kən 
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
Medical Definition
broken
adjective
bro·ken
ˈbrō-kən
: having undergone or been subjected to fracture
a broken leg
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