brake

I UK [breɪk] / US noun [countable]
Word forms "brake":
singular brake plural brakes
*

1) [usually plural] the equipment in a car, bicycle, or other vehicle that you use for slowing down or stopping

The brakes failed and the car crashed into a tree.

We heard a screech of brakes as Jill's car pulled up.

slam on/hit the brakes (= stop suddenly):

I saw the child run out, so I slammed on the brakes.

brakes squealing/screeching (= making a loud noise):

I heard the brakes squealing, then a loud crash.

2) [usually singular] an action or a situation that prevents something from developing or making progress

put a brake/the brakes on something:

The high level of debt put a brake on economic recovery.

act as a brake on something:

Inevitably, insufficient funding acts as a brake on medical research.

II UK [breɪk] / US verb [intransitive/transitive]
Word forms "brake":
present tense I/you/we/they brake he/she/it brakes present participle braking past tense braked past participle braked

to stop or slow down a car, bicycle, or other vehicle by using the brakes

brake hard/sharply:

I braked hard but couldn't avoid hitting the car in front.

brake (something) to a halt/stop:

I braked the car to a halt and jumped out.