an act or instance of breaking away; secession; separation: the breakaway of two provinces from a state.
a departure or break from routine or tradition: a three-day breakaway in the Bahamas.
a person or thing that breaks away.
an object, as a theatrical prop, constructed so that it breaks or falls apart easily, especially upon impact.
Ice Hockey. a sudden rush down the ice by a player or players in an attempt to score a goal, after breaking clear of defending opponents.
Football. a run by an offensive player breaking through the defense for a long gain.
Basketball. fast break.
Australian.
a stampede.
an animal that breaks away from the herd or flock.
adjective
of, relating to, or being that which separates or secedes: the breakaway faction of the Socialist party.
departing from routine or tradition.
constructed of such lightweight material or in such a way as to shatter or come apart easily: breakaway highway signposts; Build a breakaway set for the barroom brawl.
(of theatrical costumes) constructed so as to be quickly removable, as by a performer playing several roles.
Origin of breakaway
First recorded in 1885–95; noun, adj. use of verb phrase break away
Words nearby breakaway
break, breakable, breakage, break a leg, break and entry, breakaway, breakbeat, breakbone fever, break bread, break bulk, break camp
Leave hurriedly, escape, get loose. For example, The boy tried to break away, but his mother held onto his coat, or On the last lap the horse broke away from the pack. [First half of 1500s]
2
Sever connections with a group. For example, It was hard for me to break away from that organization, but I knew it was necessary.
3
Stop doing something, as in She broke away from work long enough to go out for lunch.