brake

/breɪk/ (bre, ipa) · /breɪk/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈbrāk/ (ame, mw)

brake — noun

1. the equipment in a car, bike, or similar vehicle that slows the wheels or brings

1.名詞B1
釋義

the equipment in a car, bike, or similar vehicle that slows the wheels or brings the vehicle to a stop; the same word is also used for the pedal, lever, or handle that works it.

例句

Bao pressed the brake at the red light outside the station.

press the brake

The bike rolled downhill until Hana squeezed the back brake.

back brake on a bicycle

同義詞
  • braking system

    broader and more technical, covering all the related parts

  • brake pedal

    only the foot control, not the whole device

  • handbrake

    a specific brake used by hand, usually for parking

反義詞

文法句型

press the brake

slam on the brakes

take your foot off the brake

用法筆記

Often plural when you mean the whole stopping system of a car, but singular when you mean the pedal or one brake on a bike.

常見錯誤

❌Press the break at the corner.
✅Press the brake at the corner.
💡'brake' is the spelling for slowing a vehicle; 'break' is a different word.

2. the high, unpleasant sound made when a vehicle stops very suddenly.

2.名詞B2
釋義

the high, unpleasant sound made when a vehicle stops very suddenly.

例句

We heard the brakes outside, then a crash near the shop.

the brakes = braking noise

A sharp screech of brakes from the bus made the children jump.

同義詞
  • screech

    focuses on a very sharp, high sound and is not limited to vehicles

  • squeal

    similar in sound, often slightly shorter or thinner

  • shriek

    more dramatic and often used for people as well as sounds

文法句型

the sound of brakes

a squeal of brakes

the brakes outside

用法筆記

Usually appears with words like sound, screech, or squeal. In real use, speakers often say the brakes when they mean the noise made by them.

常見錯誤

❌I heard a brake outside.
✅I heard the squeal of brakes outside.
💡this sense is usually expressed in a sound phrase, not as a simple countable noun.

3. something that holds back progress or makes an activity harder to continue.

3.名詞C1
釋義

something that holds back progress or makes an activity harder to continue.

例句

High rent is a brake on new shops in this area.

a brake on + activity

Poor internet access put a brake on online classes.

put a brake on + noun

同義詞
  • obstacle

    broader word for anything in the way, not only something that slows progress

  • check

    more formal and often used for limiting growth or power

  • curb

    often suggests a deliberate attempt to limit something

反義詞
  • boost

    something that helps an activity move faster or grow

文法句型

a brake on [activity]

put a brake on [plan]

act as a brake on [growth]

用法筆記

Normally followed by 'on' before the activity being slowed. This sense is common in news and formal discussion about growth, spending, plans, or change.

常見錯誤

❌The new rule was a brake for small shops.
✅The new rule was a brake on small shops.
💡use 'a brake on' for the thing being slowed.

brake — verb