Definition

1. Noun:
   • A short pause from work or activity, typically in the morning or afternoon, for the purpose of drinking coffee, tea, or another beverage, often accompanied by a light snack. It serves as a brief rest period.

Usage

• The term "coffee break" is used to denote a scheduled or informal short rest period during the workday.
• It is a compound noun. The primary meaning is the event or period itself, not the beverage.
• Example:

Examples

• Noun:
  • The office policy allows for a 15-minute coffee break at 10:30 AM.
  • We usually have our coffee break in the staff lounge.
  • He stepped out for a quick coffee break to clear his head.

Advanced Usage

• "to take a coffee break": This is the standard verb phrase used with the noun.
  • I need to take a coffee break before tackling the next report.
• The concept can be implied even if no coffee is consumed, referring to any short, informal rest period.
  • Even though I drink tea, I still call my mid-morning rest a coffee break.

Variants and Related Words

• Tea break (n): Common in British English, synonymous with "coffee break."
  • The team gathered for a tea break in the afternoon.
• Break (n): The more general term for any short pause.
  • We have a break scheduled at 11 o'clock.
• Recess (n): Often used in educational contexts for a break between lessons.
• Rest period (n): A more formal term for a time designated for rest.

Synonyms

• Rest break: A pause for resting.
• Pause: A temporary stop in action or speech.
• Intermission: A pause between parts of a performance or event (more formal, often longer).

Related Phrases

• Elevenses (n, informal, chiefly British): A light refreshment, often with coffee or tea, taken around 11 a.m.
• Smoko (n, informal, Australian/NZ): A break from work for a cigarette and/or a hot drink.

Notes

• "Coffee break" is a fixed compound noun. Its meaning is specific to the context of work or sustained activity.
• While the name includes "coffee," the break is defined by the pause, not the specific beverage consumed.

Noun

1. a snack taken during a break in the work day
   • a ten-minute coffee break
   • the British have tea breaks