- (prenominal) (of speed, pace, etc) excessive and dangerous
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
break•neck /ˈbreɪkˌnɛk/USA pronunciation
adj. [before a noun]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- fast enough to be dangerous: running at breakneck speed down the slope.
break•neck
(brāk′nek′),USA pronunciation adj.
- reckless or dangerous, esp. because of excessive speed;
hazardous:He raced through the streets at breakneck speed.
- break + neck 1555–65
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
breakneck /ˈbreɪkˌnɛk/ adj
'breakneck' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):