breech

UK: /ˈbriːtʃ/ US: /britʃ/ ,(n. brēch; v. brēch, brich)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

breech /britʃ/   n. [countable]

1. Military the rear part of the barrel of a gun, where the bullet is loaded.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

breech  (n. brēch;v. brēch, brich), n. 

1. Anatomy the lower, rear part of the trunk of the body;
   buttocks.
2. the hinder or lower part of anything.
3. Military [Ordn.] the rear part of the bore of a gun, esp. the opening and associated mechanism that permits insertion of a projectile.
4. Mechanical Engineering [Mach.] the end of a block or pulley farthest from the supporting hook or eye.
5. Nautical, Naval Terms the outside angle of a knee in the frame of a ship.

v.t. 

6. Military [Ordn.] to fit or furnish (a gun) with a breech.
7. to clothe with breeches.

• bef. 1000; Middle English breeche, Old English brēc, plural of brōc; cognate with Old Norse brōk, Old High German bruoh

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

breech noun / briːtʃ/

1. the lower dorsal part of the human trunk; buttocks; rump
2. the lower part or bottom of something
3. the part of a firearm behind the barrel or bore
4. short for breech delivery

verb / briːtʃ brɪtʃ/(transitive)

1. to fit (a gun) with a breech
2. to clothe in breeches or any other clothing

Etymology: Old English brēc, plural of brōc leg covering; related to Old Norse brōk, Old High German bruohUSAGE
Breech is sometimes wrongly used as a verb where breach is meant: the barrier/agreement was breached (not breeched)