breaker > define

noun

A quarry worker who splits off blocks of stone.
- synonyms: ledgeman
Waves breaking on the shore.
- synonyms: surf, breakers
A device that trips like a switch and opens the circuit when overloaded.
- synonyms: circuit breaker

(n.) A wave breaking into foam against the shore or against a sand bank or a rock or reef near the surface.
(n.) Specifically: A machine for breaking rocks or for breaking coal at the mines; also, the building in which such a machine is placed.
(n.) One who or that which, breaks.
(n.) A small water cask.

by Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

breaker is a switch-like device in electrical panel boxes used to keep the electrical current from exceeding the recommended load for the wire size connected to the breaker.

(DoD) A wave in the process of losing energy where offshore energy loss is caused by wind action and nearshore energy loss is caused by the impact of the sea floor as the wave enters shallow (shoaling) water. Breakers either plunge, spill, or surge. See also breaker angle.

by Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms. 31 January 2011.