Verb (5-dan, る, transitive)
1. to tear; to rip; to break; to destroy
彼は手紙を破って捨てた。He tore up the letter and threw it away.
2. to break through (cordon, opponent's defense, etc.); to breach
このまま防御していても、いつかは破られる可能性がある。Even if we continue to defend like this, there is a possibility that we will eventually be breached.
3. to defeat; to beat
彼は前回の王者を破って優勝した。He won the championship by defeating the previous champion.
4. to break (e.g. silence); to disturb (e.g. peace); to shatter (e.g. dream); to disrupt; to spoil
静寂を最初に破ったのは、兵士の一人だ。The first to break the silence was one of the soldiers.
5. to violate (e.g. rule); to break (e.g. promise); to infringe
僕はルールを破ってないよ？I haven't broken the rules, you know?
6. to break (a record)