brake1

 
Pronunciation: /breɪk/

noun

  • 1a device for slowing or stopping a moving vehicle, typically by applying pressure to the wheels: he slammed on his brakes [as modifier]: a brake pedal
  • a thing that slows or hinders a process: constrained resources will act as a brake on research

verb

[no object]
  • make a moving vehicle slow down or stop by using a brake: she had to brake hard to avoid a milk float (as noun modifier braking) an anti-lock braking system

Origin:

late 18th century: of unknown origin

Do not confuse brake with break. Brake means 'a device for slowing or stopping a vehicle' or 'slow or stop a vehicle' ( I had to brake hard), whereas break mainly means 'separate into pieces' ( he managed to break a few ribs) or 'a pause or interruption' ( a coffee break).