the act of breaking, in a figurative sense.-specifically: a breaking or infraction of a law, or of any obligation or tie; violation; non-fulfillment; as, a breach of contract; a breach of promise.-a gap or opening made made by breaking or battering, as in a wall or fortification; the space between the parts of a solid body rent by violence; a break; a rupture.-a breaking of waters, as over a vessel; the waters themselves; surge; surf.-a breaking up of amicable relations; rupture.-a bruise; a wound.-a hernia; a rupture.-a breaking out upon; an assault.-to make a breach or opening in; as, to breach the walls of a city.-to break the water, as by leaping out; -- said of a whale.