broach

1 of 3

verb (1)

ˈbrōch How to pronounce broach (audio)
broached; broaching; broaches
Synonyms of broachnext

transitive verb

1
a
: to open up (a subject) for discussion
a good time to broach the subject
b
: to make known for the first time
2
a
: to pierce (something, such as a cask) in order to draw the contents
also : to open for the first time
b
: to open up or break into (a mine, stores, etc.)
3
: to shape or enlarge (a hole) with a broach (see broach entry 2 sense 2c)

intransitive verb

: to break the surface from below
the whale broached
broacher noun

broach

2 of 3

noun

1
: brooch
wore a lovely broach on her lapel
2
: any of various pointed or tapered tools, implements, or parts: such as
a
: a spit for roasting meat
b
: a tool for tapping casks
c
: a cutting tool for removing material from metal or plastic to shape an outside surface or a hole

broach

3 of 3

verb (2)

broached; broaching; broaches

intransitive verb

nautical : to veer or yaw dangerously so as to lie broadside to the waves
—often used with to
Our ship broached to.

Synonyms

Verb (1)

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 
Choose the Right Synonym for broach

express, vent, utter, voice, broach, air mean to make known what one thinks or feels.

express suggests an impulse to reveal in words, gestures, actions, or what one creates or produces.

expressed her feelings in music

vent stresses a strong inner compulsion to express especially in words.

a tirade venting his frustration

utter implies the use of the voice not necessarily in articulate speech.

utter a groan

voice does not necessarily imply vocal utterance but does imply expression or formulation in words.

an editorial voicing their concerns

broach adds the implication of disclosing for the first time something long thought over or reserved for a suitable occasion.

broached the subject of a divorce

air implies an exposing or parading of one's views often in order to gain relief or sympathy or attention.

publicly airing their differences

Examples of broach in a Sentence

Verb (1) the immense whales broaching was a magnificent sight broached the topic of plans for next year's parade
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.
Verb
None of this feels good to me, and broaching the subject only brings tension. —R. Eric Thomas, The Mercury News, 4 Nov. 2024 President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman did the same when Buehler broached the topic at the ballpark. —Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024
Noun
No detail has been missed, from Gaga's big, blonde beehive hairdo and unique makeup to her gold broach. —Dave Quinn, People.com, 29 Oct. 2024 However, men and broaches are now having a little moment, as are men and initial-pendant necklaces, and together all of this may explain why the daring, design-forward watches from Piaget—vintage and new—are also having a moment. —Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 3 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for broach 

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English brochen "to pierce, skewer (meat), tap (a cask)," borrowed from Anglo-French brocher "to prick, spur, stab," verbal derivative of broche "pointed object" — more at broach entry 2

Noun

Middle English broche "pointed instrument, brooch," borrowed from Anglo-French, "pointed object, brooch, spigot," going back to Vulgar Latin *brocca, noun derivative from feminine of Latin broccus "prominent, projecting," of uncertain origin

Verb (2)

perhaps from broach entry 1

First Known Use

Verb (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2a

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

1699, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of broach was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near broach

bro

broach

broached work

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Broach.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/broach. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

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Kids Definition

broach

1 of 2 noun
ˈbrōch How to pronounce broach (audio)
: any of various pointed or narrowed tools or parts
especially : one used for shaping a hole already bored

broach

2 of 2 verb
1
: to make a hole in (as a cask) in order to draw off the contents
2
: to bring up for discussion
broach a subject
3
: to break the surface (as of water) from below
saw a submarine broaching

Medical Definition

broach

1 of 2 noun
ˈbrōch How to pronounce broach (audio)
: a fine tapered flexible instrument used in dentistry to remove dental pulp and to dress a root canal

broach

2 of 2 transitive verb
: to open (a vein) to draw blood

More from Merriam-Webster on broach

Nglish: Translation of broach for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of broach for Arabic Speakers

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