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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Broken.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/broken. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

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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