break into

phrase

1
: to begin with or as if with a sudden throwing off of restraint
broke into tears
face breaking into a smile
the horse breaks into a gallop
2
: to make entry or entrance into
broke into the house
break into show business
3
: interrupt
break into a TV program with a news flash

Examples of break into in a Sentence

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.
Snail Mucin When K-beauty broke into the US market in 2016, snail mucin was the introductory ingredient that got everyone hooked. — Audrey Noble, Vogue, 4 Aug. 2026 But the Texas Stock Exchange has an uphill battle to break into this part of Wall Street. — Maria Aspan, NPR, 4 Aug. 2026 In 2018, thieves broke into the home and Usher and Miguel were robbed of $20,000 in cash and a litany of jewelry and watches (the most expensive watch was reportedly worth $220,000). — Joyce Chen, Architectural Digest, 4 Aug. 2026 Several years ago, my company was working to break into the snack food category. — C200, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for break into

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of break into was in the 14th century

Rhymes for break into

See All Rhymes for break into

Browse Nearby Words

break in on
break into
break into a run
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Break into.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/break%20into. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on break into

Nglish: Translation of break into for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All