breakup

/ˌbreɪkˈʌp/

/ˈbreɪkəp/

Other forms: breakups

A breakup is when something comes apart or separates into pieces, like the breakup of a comet that eventually produces a meteor shower we can see from Earth.

The breakup of ice on a lake in spring, melting and cracking into separate chunks, means it's no longer safe to walk on. When a relationship ends that's a breakup too: "After the breakup, they moved out and got separate apartments, and now they share custody of their cat." You can also use this word for the split between other entities, like the breakup of a church into different sects or the breakup of a treaty between several countries.

Definitions of breakup

1. noun

   coming apart
   synonyms: detachment, separation

   types:

   breach, break, falling out, rift, rupture, severance

   a personal or social separation (as between opposing factions)

   break

   the occurrence of breaking

   schism

   the formal separation of a church into two churches or the withdrawal of one group over doctrinal differences

   snap

   a sudden breaking

   type of:

   alteration, change, modification

   an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another
2. noun

   the termination or disintegration of a relationship (between persons or nations)
   synonyms: dissolution

   types:

   splitsville

   separation or breakup or divorce

   annulment, invalidation

   (law) a formal termination (of a relationship or a judicial proceeding etc)

   dissolution of marriage

   an annulment of a marriage

   type of:

   conclusion, ending, termination

   the act of ending something