# brake

> English word · Noun · IPA /bɹeɪk/ · frequency rank #7,655

## Definitions
1. A device used to slow or stop the motion of a wheel, or of a vehicle, usually by friction (although other resistive forces, such as electromagnetic fields or aerodynamic drag, can also be used); also, the controls or apparatus used to engage such a mechanism such as the pedal in a car.
2. A device used to slow or stop the motion of a wheel, or of a vehicle, usually by friction (although other resistive forces, such as electromagnetic fields or aerodynamic drag, can also be used); also, the controls or apparatus used to engage such a mechanism such as the pedal in a car.
3. A device used to slow or stop the motion of a wheel, or of a vehicle, usually by friction (although other resistive forces, such as electromagnetic fields or aerodynamic drag, can also be used); also, the controls or apparatus used to engage such a mechanism such as the pedal in a car.
4. A device used to slow or stop the motion of a wheel, or of a vehicle, usually by friction (although other resistive forces, such as electromagnetic fields or aerodynamic drag, can also be used); also, the controls or apparatus used to engage such a mechanism such as the pedal in a car.
5. An ancient engine of war analogous to the crossbow and ballista.
6. An ancient engine of war analogous to the crossbow and ballista.
7. The handle of a pump.
8. A baker’s kneading trough.
9. A device used to confine or prevent the motion of an animal.
10. A device used to confine or prevent the motion of an animal.
11. A device used to confine or prevent the motion of an animal.
12. A device used to confine or prevent the motion of an animal.
13. That part of a carriage, as of a movable battery, or engine, which enables it to turn.

## Etymology
Origin uncertain; possibly from Middle Dutch or Middle Low German brake (“nose ring, curb, flax brake”), which according to Watkins is related to sense 4 and from Proto-Germanic *brekaną (“to break”).

## Easily confused with
- **brat** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/brake-vs-brat)
- **bray** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/brake-vs-bray)
- **bran** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/brake-vs-bran)
- **bree** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/brake-vs-bree)
- **brie** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/brake-vs-brie)
- **break** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/brake-vs-break)
- **broke** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/brake-vs-broke)
- **brand** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/brake-vs-brand)
- **Bruce** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/brake-vs-bruce)
- **brave** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/brake-vs-brave)
- **bride** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/brake-vs-bride)
- **brass** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/brake-vs-brass)
- **burke** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/brake-vs-burke)
- **bravo** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/brake-vs-bravo)
- **brawl** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/brake-vs-brawl)
- **bribe** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/brake-vs-bribe)
- **brute** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/brake-vs-brute)
- **Braun** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/brake-vs-braun)
- **brine** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/brake-vs-brine)
- **Brice** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/brake-vs-brice)

## Common misspellings (6)
`barke`, `bbrake`, `brakke`, `brkae`, `brrake`, `rbake`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/brake