Definition of 'broach'

Word Frequency

broach

(broʊtʃ )

Word forms: 3rd person singular present tense broaches , present participle broaching , past tense, past participle broached

verb

When you broach a subject, especially a sensitive one, you mention it in order to start a discussion on it.

Eventually I broached the subject of her early life. [VERB noun]

Synonyms: bring up, approach, introduce, mention More Synonyms of broach

More Synonyms of broach

broach in British English 1

(brəʊtʃ )

verb

1. (transitive)

to initiate (a topic) for discussion

to broach a dangerous subject

2. (transitive)

to tap or pierce (a container) to draw off (a liquid)

to broach a cask

to broach wine

3. (transitive)

to open in order to begin to use

to broach a shipment

4. (intransitive)

to break the surface of the water

the trout broached after being hooked

5. (transitive) machinery

to enlarge and finish (a hole) by reaming

noun

a long tapered toothed cutting tool for enlarging holes

a spit for roasting meat, etc

a roof covering the corner triangle on the top of a square tower having an octagonal spire

a pin, forming part of some types of lock, that registers in the hollow bore of a key

10.

a tool used for tapping casks

11. a less common spelling of brooch

Derived forms

broacher (ˈbroacher)

noun

Word origin

C14: from Old French broche, from Vulgar Latin brocca (unattested), from Latin brochus projecting

Word Frequency

broach in British English 2

(brəʊtʃ )

verb

nautical (usually foll by to)

to cause (a sailing vessel) to swerve sharply and dangerously or (of a sailing vessel) to swerve sharply and dangerously in a following sea, so as to be broadside to the waves

Word origin

C18: perhaps from broach1 in obsolete sense of turn on a spit

Word Frequency

broach in American English

(broʊtʃ )

noun

a sharp-pointed rod used to hold roasting meat; spit

a tapered bit on a metal-cutting machine tool that is pulled or pushed through a hole to enlarge or shape the hole

a device for tapping casks

a hole made by a broach

brooch

verb transitive

to make a hole in so as to let out liquid; tap (a cask)

to enlarge or shape (a hole) with a broach

to start a discussion of; bring up; introduce

to broach a subject

SIMILAR WORDS: ˈutter

Idioms:

broach to

Derived forms

broacher (ˈbroacher)

noun

Word origin

ME broche, a pin, peg, spit < OFr broche, broc < ML brocca, a spike, point < L broccus, with projecting teeth; of Celt orig.

Word Frequency

broach in American English

(broutʃ)

noun

1. Machinery

an elongated, tapered, serrated cutting tool for shaping and enlarging holes

a spit for roasting meat

a gimlet for tapping casks

4. (in a lock)

a pin receiving the barrel of a key

5. Also: broach spire Architecture

an octagonal spire rising directly from a tower without any intervening feature

a pointed tool for the rough dressing of stone

a brooch

transitive verb

to enlarge and finish with a broach

to mention or suggest for the first time

to broach a subject

10.

to draw ( beer, liquor, etc.), as by tapping

to broach beer from a keg

11.

to tap or pierce

12.

to shape or dress (a block of stone)

intransitive verb

13. Nautical (of a sailing vessel)

to veer to windward

14.

to break the surface of water; rise from the sea, as a fish or a submarine

Derived forms

broacher

noun

Word origin

[1175–1225; (n.) ME broche ‹ AF, OF ‹ VL *brocca spike, horn, tap of a cask (ML broca), n. use of fem. of L adj. brocc(h)us projecting (said of teeth); (v.) ME brochen ‹ OF broch(i)er, deriv. of the n.]

Examples of 'broach' in a sentence
broach

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You could then broach the idea of opening a savings account for your niece.Is there a tactful way to broach the subject?How could we broach such a subject so early in their grief?But there can be a certain reluctance to broach the subject.How can we expect teachers to broach a subject that is more than likely very close to their hearts?It's best to set aside a special time to broach any difficult topics.Since you say she is already quite insecure, you need to broach this issue sensitively.You probably won't have to broach the subject because they will come to you.After years of marriage you're comfortable enough with each other to broach the subject.This is guaranteed to become one of the go-to books when nervy parents need to broach this subject.