Broach meaning

brōch
To broach is defined as to cautiously bring up a sensitive or controversial topic.

An example of broach is when you bring up a subject with your spouse that you have fought about many times before.

verb
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The definition of a broach is a large piece of women's jewelry.

An example of a broach is a 3" pin that you wear on your winter coat.

noun
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A sharp-pointed rod used to hold roasting meat; spit.
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The stick from which candle wicks are suspended for dipping.

noun
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To pierce in order to draw off liquid.

Broach a keg of beer.

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To shape or enlarge (a hole) with a tapered, serrated tool.
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A spit for roasting meat.
noun
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A mason's narrow chisel.
noun
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A gimlet for tapping or broaching casks.
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To veer or cause to veer broadside to the wind and waves.

Tried to keep the boat from broaching to.

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A tapered bit on a metal-cutting machine tool that is pulled or pushed through a hole to enlarge or shape the hole.
noun
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A hole made by a broach.
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noun
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To make a hole in so as to let out liquid; tap (a cask)
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To enlarge or shape (a hole) with a broach.
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To start a discussion of; bring up; introduce.

To broach a subject.

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A series of chisel points mounted on one piece of steel.
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(masonry) A broad chisel for stone-cutting.
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Alternative spelling of brooch.
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A spit for cooking food.
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An awl; a bodkin; also, a wooden rod or pin, sharpened at each end, used by thatchers.

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(architecture, UK, dialect) A spire rising from a tower.
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A spit-like start on the head of a young stag.
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The pin in a lock which enters the barrel of the key.
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To make a hole in, especially a cask of liquor, and put in a tap in order to draw the liquid.
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To open, to make an opening into; to pierce.

French knights at Agincourt were unable to broach the English line.

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​ (figuratively) To begin discussion about (something).

I broached the subject of contraceptives carefully when the teenager mentioned his promiscuity.

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(intransitive) To be turned sideways to oncoming waves, especially large or breaking waves.

The small boat broached and nearly sank, because of the large waves.

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To cause to turn sideways to oncoming waves, especially large or breaking waves.
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To be overcome or submerged by a wave or surge of water.

Each time we came around into the wind, the sea broached our bow.

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To draw off (a liquid) by piercing a hole in a cask or other container.
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A device for tapping casks.
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broach to
  • To turn or swing so that the beam faces the waves and wind and there is danger of swamping or capsizing.
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Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

Origin of broach

  • Middle English brochen to pierce probably from broche pointed weapon or implement from Old French from Vulgar Latin brocca from Latin broccus projecting
    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
  • Probably from broach
    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
  • Old French broche, from Vulgar Latin *brocca, originally feminine form of Latin broccus, perhaps ultimately of Gaulish origin (see Gaelic brog; cognate to brochure.
    From Wiktionary

Broach Sentence Examples

  • So far, she hadn't found a way to broach the subject with Brandon.

  • She was reluctant to broach the subject.

  • Finally she dragged up the courage to broach the subject.

  • Sometimes it's hard to broach a subject – especially when you've avoided it for a while.

  • It occurred to her to prompt Alex on the phone, but how would she broach the subject?

More sentences →

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Words near broach in the Dictionary