breast
/brɛst
/noun
1Either of the two soft, protruding organs on the upper front of a woman’s body which secrete milk after childbirth: Caroline crossed her arms over her breasts [as modifier]: breast cancer...
- All had terminal cancer of the breast, lung, gastrointestinal system or prostate gland.
- You may notice pink, red or purple streaks along your abdomen, breasts, upper arms, buttocks or thighs.
- The most researched cancers are those of the bowel, breast, endometrium, prostate, testes, and lung.
Synonyms
technical mammary gland, mamma
(breasts) bosom(s), bust, chest
informal boobs, knockers, boobies, bazookas, melons, jubblies, bubbies, orbs, globes
British informal bristols, charlies, baps
North American informal bazooms, casabas, chichis
Australian informal norks
vulgar slang tits, titties, jugs
North American vulgar slang hooters
archaic dugs, paps, embonpoint
2A person’s chest, especially when regarded as the seat of the emotions: wild feelings of frustration were rising up in his breast her heart was hammering in her breast...
- The growth can invade local tissues of the breast and chest wall as well as spread through the blood and lymphatic systems.
- She sat on the back seat, pressing the envelope to her breast.
- When he woke up, he found Maria sound asleep on his breast.
Synonyms
heart, soul, bosom, seat of one's emotions/feelings, innermost being, core
2.1The part of a bird or mammal that corresponds to a person’s chest: [as modifier]: the breast feathers of the doves...
- The young birds' breasts showed orange now as they looked hungrily to her, their eyes black and empty.
- Then it preened its scaly breast feathers with a wide beak.
- Be sure that it is the native pigeon, a large bird with white plumage on its breast.
2.2A joint of meat or portion of poultry cut from the breast of a bird or mammal: Lisa popped a breast of chicken into the microwave...
- Then for my entree: boneless fried chicken breasts, sweet potato fries, and noodle kugel.
- Plus, tuna has virtually zero saturated fat, which you can't say about red meat or even a breast of chicken.
- Season remaining three chicken breasts with salt and white pepper.
2.3The part of a garment that covers the chest: [as modifier]: a breast pocket...
- She had half expected him to display the garment in the breast pocket of his jacket.
- The seven-year-old buried her head in Debbie's pajamas, soaking the breast pocket of her shirt.
- He stuffed his sunglasses into the breast pocket of his shirt as his eyes searched for her.
verb [with object]
1Face and move forwards against or through (something): I watched him breast the wave...
- On the Potomac, swan-white power launches keep breasting the sulphurous wave.
- Two huge English gals with shoulders like walruses breasted the waves in perfect unison.
- He breasted the finish line in five hours and two minutes.
1.1Reach the top of (a hill): a pair of riders breasted the rise ahead...
- It turned out to be the highlight of the expedition, the day they breasted the icecap.
- As the first rays of the sun breasted the peak of the mountain, the enemy slowed.
- The train made the climb and breasted the summit at a virtually steady 60 mph.
Phrases
beat one's breast
Derivatives
breasted
/ adjective [in combination]: a bare-breasted woman a crimson-breasted bird
Origin
Old English brēost, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch borst and German Brust.