BREAKNECK

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does breakneck mean? 

• BREAKNECK (adjective)
  The adjective BREAKNECK has 1 sense:

1. moving at very high speed

  Familiarity information: BREAKNECK used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• BREAKNECK (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Moving at very high speed

Context example:

a breakneck pace

Similar:

dangerous; unsafe (involving or causing danger or risk; liable to hurt or harm)

 Context examples 

He didn't hear me call, nor see me flap my parasol in front, and there we were, quite helpless, rattling away, and whirling around corners at a breakneck pace.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

However, even travelling at a breakneck speed of about 95 000 kilometres/hour, it took so long for the interstellar object to make the journey to our Solar System that Vega was not near that position when the asteroid was there about 300 000 years ago.

(ESO Observations Show First Interstellar Asteroid is Like Nothing Seen Before, ESO)