breakage

noun

break·​age ˈbrā-kij How to pronounce breakage (audio)
1
: loss due to things broken
2
a
: the action or an instance of breaking
b
: a quantity broken

Examples of breakage in a Sentence

The pots are transported carefully to reduce the risk of breakage. The pots are transported carefully to reduce the number of breakages.
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.
That moisturizing combination can benefit dry, brittle strands, too, since better lubricated hair creates less friction—and potentially less tangling and mechanical breakage—during brushing and styling. — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 28 Aug. 2026 In general, subjecting your hair to heat over 300 degrees Fahrenheit can cause heat damage in the form of breakage or weakening the hair. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 24 Aug. 2026 Enter Tangle Teezer The Complete Carebrush, a first-of-its kind brush that causes 70% less breakage on all hair types compared to standard hairbrushes, according to independent testing. — Celia Shatzman, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026 To study the breakages, the team analyzed the fracture surfaces and ran molecular dynamics computer simulations that trace atomic motion. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for breakage

Word History

First Known Use

1769, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of breakage was in 1769

Browse Nearby Words

breakable
breakage
break a leg
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Breakage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/breakage. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

breakage

noun
break·​age ˈbrā-kij How to pronounce breakage (audio)
1
a
: the action of breaking
b
: a quantity broken
2
: an allowance for things broken
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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